Now the four cabinet ministers are the leaders of their respective factions, and they all have supporters behind them. It is natural for them to gain benefits for their supporters. This is an obvious thing.

And money is always a very, very important thing.

First of all, he can slip a little bit through the gaps between his fingers and take it home, which is something ordinary people wouldn't dare to think about. This can also be considered as a benefit for his subordinates.

Secondly, this money can be used to do things. What is the most important thing for an official besides making money?

Of course it’s a promotion.

If you want to get promoted, you have to work hard; if you want to work hard, you have to have money. This is an eternal truth.

So even before they received the money, the four of them were already coveting it. The reason was simple: if they didn't covet it now, it would be too late when the money passed into someone else's hands.

Therefore, the atmosphere within the cabinet was rather strange, and Han Yu and the other four seemed to have returned to the time when they were wary of and fighting each other.

As for whether they could get the money, they were not worried. The reason was simple: they were sure to get the money.

Why do you think so?

That's because they know that the nobles and relatives of the nobles no longer have the ability to resist. With the cooperation between His Majesty and themselves, these nobles and relatives of the nobles can only admit defeat.

The fact is just as Han Yu and others expected. This is the situation of the nobles and their relatives. So the next step is to decide who will collect the money.

There are currently two government offices that are qualified to do this, one is Shuntian Prefecture and the other is the Ministry of Revenue.

As for Shuntian Prefecture, its qualifications are somewhat insufficient. After all, not every noble and honorable relative is in the capital. They also have land in their hometowns, so Shuntian Prefecture's reach cannot reach that far.

If it is handed over to the local prefecture or county government, it seems to be the most appropriate approach.

As for the Ministry of Revenue collecting the money directly, it was against the rules. However, seeing Xu Guangqi's eagerness to try, it was obvious that he was not going to let go of this opportunity.

So the struggle began, and they each mobilized their connections to start planning this matter.

In the Western Garden.

Zhu Youxiao casually put down the tea bowl and said slowly, "Take down all these test papers. They give me a headache."

After saying this, Zhu Youxiao waved his hand, signaling Chen Hong to take the things away.

Chen Hong quickly had the things taken away, as he could see that the emperor was unhappy.

Among these question books, few of them talk about serious matters. Most of them talk about trivial matters, but the things hidden behind them are not small.

Everyone was eyeing the taxes, but Zhu Youxiao didn't want to hand them over.

If all taxes were to be collected by local officials, wouldn't that be the same as the current situation?

If you put a meat bun into a dog's mouth, there's no way you can get it back.

As for letting the Ministry of Revenue collect the money directly, Zhu Youxiao did not want to do so. The reason was simple: he wanted to use this matter to do something.

This is just the beginning, not the end.

With a soft sigh, Zhu Youxiao stood up and said, "Summon Zhao Bingzhong to the palace!"

After hearing this, Chen Hong said, "Yes, Your Majesty, I will go right away."

Zhao Bingzhong from the Tongzhengsi is a person that most people in the Ming Dynasty dare not offend.

Compared with the Censorate, the Ministry of Public Security is now more frightening, and its reputation is even catching up with that of the Eastern Depot and the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

No one knows when they will be impeached and reported to the Ministry of Public Security, and no one knows when they will be plotted against. When the Ministry of Public Security arrives at your door, you may not even know what has happened.

So now when people see someone from the Ministry of Public Security, they take a detour, for fear of being found.

Chen Hong didn't know why the emperor wanted to see Zhao Bingzhong, but it was definitely not a good thing.

In fact, there was nothing big about Zhu Youxiao asking Zhao Bingzhong to come, and it was indeed a good thing.

However, once this matter is started, it may cause a lot of noise, so Zhu Youxiao called Zhao Bingzhong over to secretly explain some things.

Zhao Bingzhong arrived quickly, as the Tongzhengsi was not far from Xiyuan.

However, Zhao Bingzhong was a little out of breath when he came, and it was obvious that he had walked quickly all the way here.

"Don't be so anxious, it's nothing serious." Zhu Youxiao looked at Zhao Bingzhong and said slowly.

"Your Majesty's affairs are all important matters, and I dare not delay them for a moment." Zhao Bingzhong bowed hurriedly and said with a serious expression and tone.

"Okay, sit down and talk." Zhu Youxiao waved his hand and said.

After Zhao Bingzhong sat down on the stool Chen Hong had brought, Zhu Youxiao said slowly, "I called you here today because I have something I want you to do. The Tongzhengsi is very busy now, and I know you're very busy, but I still have to entrust this matter to you."

"You have to remember one thing, this matter can only be carried out in secret, and no news can be leaked."

"Your Majesty, don't worry. I will definitely get things done," said Zhao Bingzhong.

Zhu Youxiao nodded and said with a smile, "I am naturally relieved to leave this matter to you. When you return, have your men pay attention to the situation in the various garrisons. First, let me find out how much land they have occupied over the years and what evil deeds they have done. This will give me a pretext for taking action in the future."

"I've also looked at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and there aren't many impeachments regarding this matter. I don't believe the Ming army has reached a state of complete peace and tranquility. Obviously, after so many years, they've become acquainted with each other, and no one is willing to speak out. Everyone is the same, so there's no right or wrong. But if they don't come, you can go and investigate further. Do you understand?"

"Your Majesty, don't worry. I will arrange manpower when I return and will definitely not let Your Majesty down." Zhao Bingzhong said hurriedly.

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