At the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty

Page 1457

"At the beginning of the founding of the country by the Supreme Emperor, the country was in dire straits, the people were poor, and they urgently needed to recuperate and store their wealth for the people. After 13 years of hard work by the Supreme Emperor, the world was peaceful and the people were rich. Today, it is no longer the situation at the beginning of the founding of the country.

I only think that tolerance is important in troubled times, and heavy codes are used in relaxed times. Today's world is no longer in troubled times. The dawn of prosperity is the time to govern the world with heavy codes!Instead of continuing to use tolerance and benevolence to forgive people who commit civil crimes without limit.

During the reign of Emperor Wendi of the early Han Dynasty, Emperor Wen used the Huang-Lao theory to rule by doing nothing and rest with the people. Although he accumulated national power for the early Han Dynasty, but at the beginning of Emperor Wudi, there were no government orders and three assistants. The government is even more useful.

When an official takes office, the first thing to do is not to understand the people's sentiments, but to meet the local hero for protection. If he becomes an enemy of the hero, the hero will even kill people in the street and slaughter officials. Is this what you want to see? of it?

It is useful to rest with the people, but the law must not be messed up!At all times, the existence of the imperial court must be displayed, and at all times, the people must know who is the one who keeps his word!Push it on!Make no mistake! "

With a big wave of Guo Jin's hand, he forced the local government to implement his order, and the emperor's edict spread in all directions, spreading from Luoyang to various places.

Chapter 1624 One thousand five hundred and forty four Guo Jin's currency reform

Regarding the sale of private salt, Guo Jin decided to have zero tolerance.

Guo Jin insisted on advancing this severe punishment measure to punish those who violated the law, let them know the majesty of the law, let them know the existence of the imperial court, and always have awe in their hearts.

Regarding this decision, Guo Jin is not completely free of concerns.

So he personally went to Taishan Hall to greet Guo Peng, and asked Guo Peng what he thought of such a large-scale punishment.

He was a little worried that Guo Peng would be dissatisfied with such an approach.

But Guo Peng didn't.

"You are actually right. In troubled times, tolerance is important. In troubled times, people's survival is a problem. The population loss is serious. If you continue to use severe punishments, it will only lead to large-scale civil uprisings. .

I have ruled the world for 13 years, the state of Wei has been stable, the people have been stable, and have accumulated a certain amount of wealth. If you continue to emphasize tolerance at this time, by the time your son becomes emperor, local power will rise.

The rule of Wenjing is important, it gave Hanwu the confidence to conquer the Xiongnu in the north, but before Hanwu conquered the Huns in the north, he fought fiercely with the people of the world. I'm afraid it will be difficult for the former Han to cheer up. "

Guo Peng sat by the pond to enjoy the shade, fed the fish while enjoying the shade, and smiled and shared his views.

Guo Jin made up his mind after hearing this, and decided to take this opportunity to beat the folks hard, and give him some forces that have not yet risen.

At the same time, let's exercise and strengthen the executive power of a wave of grassroots officials, so that the local government can make a good move.

With Guo Peng's approval, Guo Jin became more confident, all officials kept silent, did not dare to oppose, and honestly carried out Guo Jin's policies.

So the three departments once again formed a joint working group, divided into several small teams and went to the local area, and began to cooperate with the local criminal department to investigate and punish the private households who bought illegal salt.

According to the intelligence list collected by the Linzi Camp, they accurately punished the private households who bought private salt, and punished them door-to-door, not missing a single one.

It’s okay if you can’t pay the fine, but if you enjoy the tax relief policy, you have to cancel the enjoyment of this policy to offset the mistakes they committed.

This really made many people feel pain, and they signed the guarantee letter, saying that they would never buy illegal salt again, and promised to report to the government as soon as possible if they found someone selling illegal salt.

In this way, this wave of large-scale punishment has aroused huge repercussions among the people, and the people are afraid, and they express that they dare not commit the crime again.

This strike severely punished the criminals, businessmen, and private consumers. It can be said that the policy was implemented to the end, which brought a huge shock to the survivors.

At the same time, the imperial court once again announced that if anyone found selling illegal salt and reported it to the government, once verified, he would be rewarded heavily.

Anyone who reports indiscriminately and tries to defraud the reward will be punished as a crime and will be charged with a prison sentence.

After a series of big actions, all the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty knew that the salt and iron monopoly was the emperor's red line, and it was untouchable. Once touched, the end would never get better.

After the officials of the Salt Affairs Department were purged viciously, Guo Jin took away his original position as a doctor of the Salt Affairs Department, deposed him, and demoted him to a commoner, and then decided to reappoint a capable official to manage the salt affairs and reorganize the local government. Salt system.

The Department of Salt Affairs is not uncommon in the central court, one of the low-ranking but powerful departments, and it looks like a department with a lot of money. Compared with those departments with little water, it is a position that many officials dream of. .

But after this wave of purges, the position of Salt Secretary has become a position that officials avoid, lest this position will interfere with their future, they are very afraid.

After reviewing several officials, Guo Jin felt that they were not suitable, so she selected a few more, and suddenly remembered Zhuge Liang, the right servant of the Ministry of Finance.

Guo Peng is very optimistic about this person, and thinks that this person can become his important arm.

That being the case.

Then sort out the salt affairs for me, first let me see if you have that ability, and then, the right servant of the Ministry of Finance may not be enough to display your ability, right?

Guo Jin made a decision, so he quickly ordered Zhuge Liang, the right servant of the Ministry of Finance, to supervise the Salt Affairs Department. Before the Salt Affairs Department had a new doctor, he would take charge of the work of the Salt Affairs Department and tidy up the chaotic Salt Affairs Department.

So all the civil and military eyes of the Manchu Dynasty looked at Zhuge Liang who had entered the central government not long ago.

Zhuge Liang accepted this errand very generously, and supervised the work of the Salt Affairs Department—and in fact, he took full responsibility for the work of the Salt Affairs Department, and put his main energy on this aspect.

No way, Zhuge Liang was promoted by exception, and he jumped directly from his rank to one of the main officials of the central government.

The other two leaders of the Ministry of Finance, Lu Qian and Mao Jie, are both senior officials with very profound qualifications, which Zhuge Liang cannot compare.

Therefore, in the position of the right servant of the Ministry of Finance, Zhuge Liang can only help the two seniors.

But he seemed quite contented, and he didn't feel that he was being ignored or that his position was not respected when he was doing some unimportant things.

This kind of mentality has gradually made Zhuge Liang a good reputation in the Ministry of Finance and gained some friends.

Now that Zhuge Liang has finally grasped the real power, he has also taken control of the Salt Affairs Department, which is nominally responsible to the Minister of Finance but is actually directly responsible to the emperor. People can't help but feel that Zhuge Liang is really in the heart of the emperor.

However, at this moment, whether it is a good thing or a bad thing to master the work of the Salt Affairs Department, everyone is not sure.

Usually mastering the salt department is naturally rich and enviable, but now...

A department that has just been cleaned will definitely become the focus of everyone's attention for a period of time. Zhuge Liang wants to do something, I am afraid it will not be so easy. Egg.

They decided to wait and see.

But Guo Jin did not put all her energy on the salt work.

He still has a lot to do.

Such as currency reform.

He has wanted to complete the currency reform for a long time. This is a political achievement that can be achieved under his leadership, and he really wants to do it.

On the one hand, Guo Jin was paying attention to Zhuge Liang's work, on the other hand, he was intensively preparing for the currency reform, and planned to issue three kinds of currencies in the next time-gold coins, silver coins and copper coins.

Through years of trade accumulation and the huge amount of gold and silver unearthed from Wa Island, the Wei Empire began to have the ability to initiate currency reforms.

In the past, due to the severe lack of precious metals, the Wei Empire could only use five baht coins made of copper as the legal currency. However, the price of copper coins was low, and small business transactions were fine, but the amount of copper coins required for large business transactions was not simple. Money matters.

This actually severely restricted the development of commercial trade, which was very inconvenient. Therefore, private commercial transactions spontaneously used Shu brocade and other valuables as the "alternative currency" for large transactions.

However, these alternative large-value currencies have the risk of depreciation, and they are likely to be intact when they are received, and they will be damaged before the next transaction.

Once damaged, the interests of the merchants will be lost for no reason, and the problem is really big.

Therefore, the commercial trade of the Wei Empire has long been plagued by the problem of insufficient currency with large denominations, and taxation has always been unable to increase, which is better than nothing.

Until the commercial routes in the Western Regions were opened up, the Wei Empire began to trade directly with Guishuang and other countries, and found that they used gold and silver currencies for large-scale trade, so they had the idea of ​​​​learning from them for currency reform.

After many years of accumulation by Guo Peng, he has continuously absorbed the reserves of precious metals such as gold and silver from the empires such as Guishuang, Anxi and Rome, the accumulation of silver mines in Japan discovered during Guo Jin's rule, and the two major projects of the Shu Road and the Grand Canal. end……

So in the fifth year of Xingyuan, the time for the Wei Empire to carry out currency reforms to promote further prosperity of commerce has come.

At the beginning of August in the fifth year of Xingyuan, Emperor Guo Jin ordered the establishment of a coin department, which was attached to the administrative planning of the Ministry of Finance, and formed a currency reform team to start discussions and preparations for currency reform.

The members of the team included the Chief Assistant of the Cabinet and the Qun Assistant in charge of finance, as well as some officials from the Ministry of Finance, Su Yuan, the person in charge of the Nei Ting East Factory, and several other eunuchs who were in charge of money. Everyone made up their minds and made decisions together.

The economy of the Wei Empire also had two sets of teams, the cabinet with the treasury as the center, the Ministry of Finance team, and the inner court east factory team with the inner treasury as the center.

The two teams sometimes cooperate, and sometimes have disagreements. It is common to have verbal wars, but the overall situation is still stable.

After Guo Jin succeeded to the throne, the Duke of Dongchang had more and more say in the economic issues of the inner court. Not only the world's mining affairs were under the management of Dongchang, but the two royal caravans were also handed over to Dongchang for management.

Dongchang Changgong is already the emperor's own financial advisor.

Because he controls the financial management power of the inner court, Dongchang Changgong will often appear as a representative of the inner court to negotiate issues with the court, which seems to be a very powerful identity.

That is to say, when facing the chief minister of the cabinet who has audit power, I will feel a little embarrassed...

But Dongchang Changgong is not the only one who is angry with the Chief Executive Committee of the Upper Cabinet.

Su Yuan, the personal eunuch next to the Supreme Emperor Guo Peng, has obviously reached his own peak, and has a high right to speak in the financial level of the Wei Empire.

Some people in the court felt dissatisfied with this, thinking that it involved eunuchs intervening in politics, but the court officials had nothing to do with the eunuchs, who were companions of the imperial power.

For the currency reform, most people still agree with it, so Guo Jin successfully set up this reform team, and planned to plan a series of steps for the currency reform based on this, and complete it as soon as possible.

When implementing the implementation, Cao Cao, the chief assistant of the cabinet, put forward some opinions of his own.

Chapter 1625 One thousand five hundred and forty-five Cao Cao had a stroke

Cao Cao believes that five baht coins have been used for hundreds of years, and people all over the world have recognized the existence of five baht coins, and five baht coins play a very important role in their lives.

If the five baht coin is suddenly abolished and the new currency is used, it may bring a series of problems. Reform may naturally be necessary, but if it is implemented suddenly, it may cause chaos among the people.

Therefore, it is inconvenient to carry out this matter as soon as possible. It is better to plan it slowly and slow down the pace.

"What's your opinion, Chief Assistant?"

Guo Jin looked at Cao Cao.

Cao Cao said: "I don't dare to say that I have a good opinion, but I think that the sudden abolition of the five baht coins will have a great impact on the people. It is better to leave a buffer period for the people to use the new coins and the five baht coins together.

During this period, the imperial court should clearly stipulate the exchange standard between the five baht coins and the new currency, and stipulate that the people should go somewhere to exchange the five baht coins in their hands for new currency, so that the people can react and there will be no big troubles.

The imperial court can then set a time limit, stipulating that the five baht coins in hand must be exchanged for new currency before a certain date, month, and year. If it expires, the five baht coins cannot be used in circulation. "

After hearing this, Guo Jin felt that it made sense, so she nodded slowly.

"What Shoufu said is reasonable, and it is to give the people some time to reflect. If so, let's settle it like this. You discuss the value of the new currency and the exchange standard with the five baht currency. Come out with a charter."

"According to the order."

The ministers nodded.

Guo Jin also used Cao Cao's clear thinking as an excuse to order the reform team headed by the cabinet chief assistant Cao Cao to start carrying out this task.

Guo Jin handed over the main power to Cao Cao. Of course Cao Cao was very happy. His previous worries about being replaced were swept away, and he found that Guo Jin still trusted him and was willing to appoint him.

It just so happens that Cao Ang is also serving in the cabinet now, as one of the group assistants, and happens to be in charge of the work of the Ministry of Finance, so father and son can work together, which makes Cao Cao very happy.

For this eldest son, Cao Cao is quite satisfied and likes it.

Although Cao Ang was not born to his wife Mrs. Ding, since he was brought up by Cao Cao's wife since he was a child, he is the same as the eldest son in identity. Except for Cao Cao's favorite youngest son Cao Chongzhi, he cares most about Cao Ang.

Before Cao Ren and Cao Hong resigned one after another, the strength of the Cao family in the army was greatly reduced. This made Cao Cao very worried, for fear that his official position would not be guaranteed, and the Cao family would completely lose the right to speak in the court.

Now that Cao Ang is back, he feels that even if he resigns, Cao Ang can succeed him and continue to maintain Cao's influence in the court.

Now I deal with government affairs with my son day and night. Although I can't express my concern for my son at work, on the contrary, I have to be stricter, but in private, Cao Cao still greets Cao Ang many times, and has dinner with him many times.

This time, Cao Cao was responsible for the currency reform. He worked day and night, and even discussed related issues with Cao Ang at the dinner table during meals.

Cao Ang was worried about this.

"Father is old, so he should rest more and not worry too much. Since he is not in the official office, it is better not to discuss government affairs and take more rest."

Cao Cao shook his head again and again.

"When we are in our position, rest is just a talk. Low-level officials can still rest, so how can we rest? We rest, power is not guaranteed, and the future is uncertain."

Cao Ang sighed.

"Father, at your age, rest is the most important thing. Power is important, but if your health is not good, can you hold power?"

Cao Cao thought for a while and smiled wryly for a while.

"Being a father is also worrying. A few years ago, your Uncle Xiao Xiao and Uncle Lian resigned one after another. Our Cao family only has Zi He and Wen Lie left in the army. They are still young and can't be considered senior generals. , in addition to being the father, your brothers and several clan members are all working in the local area.

In the central court, Weifu is the only person who can say something and do something. Weifu is also worried. I am worried that if Weifu is gone, no one in our Cao family can speak in the central court. Talking around.

Zixiu, we are foreign relatives, and the way of survival of foreign relatives is different from that of ordinary officials. What's more, the imperial examination is booming now, and all the newly promoted officials have the status of Jinshi in the imperial examination. How can I not worry when your foothold is not stable? "

Cao Ang lowered his head and was silent for a moment, deeply feeling Cao Cao's good intentions.

"Father's worries, sons understand, but as foreign relatives, shouldn't we be more cautious in words and deeds? Earlier, Uncle Zi Xiao was in command of the local army, Uncle Zi Lian and Zi He were in charge of the central government, and father was a high-ranking official in the court. , I waited in place for the wings.

At that time, my Cao family was extremely honorable and powerful in both military and political aspects. Although honorable, isn't it dangerous?If the Empress Dowager was not beside the Empress Dowager, father, would the Cao family really be able to survive until now? "

Cao Ang's words were more straightforward. Of course, there was nothing that could not be said between father and son, and Cao Cao was not angry.

Cao Cao then thought of his sister Cao Lan and sighed.

"Of course my father knows that the Empress Dowager is by his side, which is the biggest reason why Uncle Lian was able to leave the capital alive, but how can you easily hand over the power to others? In this city of Luoyang, they are just ants."