novelAbuy Chapter 26: Great court meeting, rewards based on merit!
Chapter 26: Great court meeting, rewards based on merit!
Three days later, in the capital city, at the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
The grand assembly is in progress.
All the civil and military officials gathered together.
The fear and numbness that had been there before were gone from their faces; in their place was a heartfelt excitement and high spirits.
After a great victory in the northern frontier, Altan Khan submitted and signed the "Yongle Treaty," agreeing to pay tribute annually.
A great victory in the southeast! The main force of the Japanese pirates was annihilated, their leader was executed, and their stronghold was burned to the ground by heavenly fire. A century-old maritime scourge was wiped out in one fell swoop!
In less than a month, the two major border troubles that had plagued the Ming Dynasty for decades were resolved cleanly and efficiently!
This was something they would never have dared to imagine before.
The one who created all these miracles was none other than the seventeen-year-old regent grandson of the emperor, Zhu Zaiyi, who sat on the dragon throne.
At that moment, all the officials looked at the slender boy with eyes filled with fanatical worship.
Zhu Di sat beside Zhu Zai Rui, looking at the civil and military officials below who looked refreshed and full of energy, and nodded in satisfaction.
Now that's more like the imperial court!
Back in the Yongle reign, which minister didn't stand tall and full of vigor when he went to court? Unlike the Jiajing reign, where everyone was like a wilted eggplant, lifeless and listless.
"If you have something to report, speak now; otherwise, the court is adjourned!" the eunuch announced.
"Your Majesty, the Retired Emperor, I, Yang Bo, the Minister of War, report to Your Highness!" Yang Bo was the first to step forward, his face radiant and his voice booming, "In this great victory on both the northern and southern fronts, our soldiers fought bravely, and our loyal ministers gave their lives. I humbly request Your Highness to reward those who have rendered meritorious service, to demonstrate the nation's prestige, and to reassure the army!"
"Approved." Zhu Zaiyi nodded calmly.
"General Zhang Biao of the Northern Frontier defended Datong to the death; his merit is immense and he deserves to be rewarded! The Emperor Emeritus personally led three thousand Xuanjia Guards, displaying the might of our Great Ming Dynasty on the battlefield; this is an unprecedented feat!"
"General Yu Dayou of the Southeast, using his remaining troops to lure the enemy, inflicted a great defeat on the Japanese pirates, showcasing the might of our navy; his contribution is also indispensable! General Qi Jiguang, by reorganizing military equipment and coordinating operations from the center, also made significant contributions!"
Yang Bo read out the names and achievements of each general.
After listening, Zhu Zaiyi looked at Zhu Di and asked, "Your Majesty, what do you think should be done to reward him?"
Zhu Di waved his hand and said in a deep voice, "Reward those who have rendered meritorious service and punish those who have done wrong—that's the rule! Those who deserve promotions will be promoted, and those who deserve monetary rewards will be rewarded! If there isn't enough money, take it from the silver confiscated from Yan Song's home! That money was originally the hard-earned money of the people, and it's only right to use it to reward the soldiers who fought for the country!"
"What the founding emperor said is true." Zhu Zaiyi nodded and then gave the order.
"By imperial decree, Zhang Biao is promoted to General of Shanxi, awarded ten thousand taels of silver, and one hundred acres of fertile land!"
"Yu Dayou has been promoted to Admiral of the Navy of the Five Southeastern Provinces, in charge of all military affairs along the coast, and has been awarded ten thousand taels of silver and granted the title of 'Marquis of Jinghai'!"
"Qi Jiguang was granted the title of Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, given command of military affairs in Jiliao, Baoding, Shandong, and other areas, and bestowed with the title of 'Marquis of Dingliao'!"
"The remaining meritorious soldiers will be rewarded according to the magnitude of their contributions, without any stinginess!"
As the imperial edicts of bestowal of honors were issued, the officials were filled with excitement.
How many years has it been since the Ming Dynasty received such a generous and lavish reward?
Especially being granted a title of nobility!
No one could be granted a title without military merit; this was an ancestral rule.
Yu Dayou and Qi Jiguang were both ennobled for their outstanding military achievements. This undoubtedly sent the clearest signal to all military generals in the world: as long as you can fight and make contributions to the country, high-ranking official positions, generous salaries, and the opportunity to marry and have children are not just a dream!
After rewarding the military generals, the civil officials were next.
"Your Majesty, I am Xu Jie, the Grand Secretary of the Cabinet." Xu Jie stepped forward, his voice steady.
"Since Your Highness assumed regency, you have purged the Yan faction, rectified the court, and brought about a new atmosphere in the government. The Ministry of Revenue investigated the Yan faction's embezzled assets and the embezzled funds turned over by officials, recovering a total of over 30 million taels of silver and over 500,000 taels of gold! Now the national treasury is full, sufficient to support the implementation of various national policies!"
"Furthermore, in accordance with Your Highness's decree, I have drafted detailed regulations for the 'Single Whip Law' and the 'Opening of the Sea Ban,' which I request Your Highness to review!"
Xu Jie presented a thick stack of memorials.
Zhu Zaiyi didn't look at it. He knew that with the abilities of Xu Jie and Gao Gong, they would handle these specific execution details very well.
"The cabinet can handle the procedures as they see fit," Zhu Zai Rui said calmly. "I only care about the results."
"I'll give you one year."
"One year from now, I want to see the Ming Dynasty's annual treasury revenue exceed fifty million taels!"
"hiss--"
This number sent chills down the spines of all the officials.
Fifty million taels!
This is equivalent to increasing the Ming Dynasty's fiscal revenue fivefold!
is it possible?
"What? No confidence?" Zhu Zai Rui looked at them and smiled.
"Your Highness, it's not that we lack confidence," Xu Jie said with a wry smile. "It's just that while the Single Whip Law is good, the land survey will inevitably face strong resistance from the gentry throughout the land. Although lifting the sea ban can bring huge profits, the major maritime merchants along the southeast coast are deeply entrenched and collude with local officials, so I'm afraid... it will also face many obstacles."
"resistance?"
Zhu Di, who was standing nearby, heard this and his eyes widened.
"Anyone who dares to stand in my way, I will personally go to their home and have a chat with them about what 'obstacle' really means!"
"My sword embodies the ultimate truth!"
He patted the Yongle sword at his waist, exuding a murderous aura.
The officials shuddered and dared not speak again.
Yes, with this unreasonable living ancestor around, what obstacle can't be overcome?
Zhu Zaiyi looked at them and shook his head.
He knew that killing and intimidation alone could not solve the fundamental problem.
To implement new policies, it is necessary to win over the majority of people to one's side.
"The gentry and maritime merchants are only a minority."
"And the people of the world are the majority."
"The new policy is designed to make a minority suffer losses while allowing the majority to benefit."
"You need to figure out who our friends are and who our enemies are."
Zhu Zai-rui stood up, his voice echoing throughout the hall.
"Convey my decree."
"From this day forward, all people in the land who have been allocated land shall be exempt from taxes for three years!"
"Merchants who engage in maritime trade, as long as they register with the Maritime Trade Office and pay taxes, will be escorted by the Imperial Navy!"
"Anyone who reports gentry for concealing land or evading taxes will receive 30% of any confiscated property, once verified!"
Each imperial edict, like a bombshell, exploded in the ears of the officials.
Ruthless! Absolutely ruthless!
This is a fatal blow!
This is a complete mobilization of the people to fight against landlords and maritime merchants!
With this move, those gentry and merchants will be completely engulfed in the vast ocean of people's war!
Xu Jie, Gao Gong, and the others were stunned, and then filled with endless admiration.
They were still thinking about how to compromise and negotiate with the gentry.
His Highness the Regent simply overturned the table and rewrote the rules of the game!
Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!