To put it bluntly, as long as the administration was clean and honest, Zhu Youxiao felt that the Ming Dynasty could survive, at least for another ten or twenty years.
Facts have proved Zhu Youxiao's judgment. In the past six months, apart from the reform of the military system, there seems to be no new policies in other areas.
It is nothing more than strengthening supervision over officials and strictly enforcing the laws and regulations that the country has already formulated.
However, the Ming Dynasty's national strength was boosted by this. The accumulated debts were paid off, the financial situation improved, the people were relieved, and news of victories in foreign wars came in frequently.
Ultimately, policy mistakes were not the primary cause of the Ming's decline. The more important factors were the corruption of officials, the greed of merchants, and the depravity of students.
Officials, businessmen, and students were inextricably linked, forming the superstructure of the Ming Dynasty and directly influencing its rise and fall.
With such an understanding, Zhu Youxiao was naturally not in a hurry to introduce new policies that violated the ancestral system, so as to avoid being criticized and attacked, and causing confusion in thought and public opinion.
As long as we follow Taizu's policy of severely punishing corruption and crack down on corrupt officials, evil gentry and landlords, and decadent students who violate laws and discipline, the political economy and even the military of the Ming Dynasty will improve.
It’s simple. Although Zhu Youxiao is not completely sure, he is about 70% confident.
It is said that Chongzhen died of poverty and the Ming Dynasty perished due to financial collapse.
But was the Ming Dynasty really short of money? I'm afraid it was the imperial court that was short of money, and the treasury was empty; the rich ones were officials, businessmen, and gentry, all of whom were extremely wealthy.
"I am very pleased that the treasury of the capital is full again." Zhu Youxiao was very happy when he heard the report. At least there was financial support for suppressing the rebellion in the southwest.
Li Qiyuan nodded and smiled, saying, "I think we should reward Zheng Sanjun."
"That's as it should be." Zhu Youxiao laughed and said, "I will not treat loyal ministers unfairly. The same goes for Li Qing. Your imperial decree will arrive soon."
"Your Majesty, I thank you for your grace." Li Qiyuan was not polite. He bowed and thanked the emperor before taking his leave.
Zhu Youxiao thought for a while and decided that Zheng Sanjun would be used for a while longer and would then be sent to a local post.
Because Zheng Sanjun also started his career as an official at the local level, he has a spirit of hard work and concern for the people.
When he was the magistrate of Zhending County in Zhending Prefecture, Zhili Province, he recruited craftsmen from the south to build water wheels for the purpose of drawing water. The people reclaimed and expanded the land during their free time, and greatly benefited from the paddy fields. The people called it "Zheng Gongche".
While serving as the prefect of Guide Prefecture (present-day Shangqiu City) as a Zhongxian official, a river embankment burst, causing flooding and famine. Zheng Sanjun cared for the victims, built water conservancy projects, restored farmland, and protected people's livelihoods. He also strictly prohibited the imperial clan and vassal states from encroaching on the people's farmland.
Zhu Youxiao was relatively lenient towards officials who could do their jobs sincerely and benefit the people, but he was not polite to the censors who talked big and attacked without restraint, regardless of their party or faction.
Although the Ministry of Revenue could not come up with the money, this did not pose a problem for Zhu Youxiao, and he did not even have to use his capital.
Whether they were civil servants or eunuchs, corrupt officials were targets of severe punishment by the emperor.
After Wang Guozhong took over the Suzhou and Hangzhou textile factories, the eunuch Li Shi, who had just returned to Beijing after leaving office, was apprehended by the Wei Dynasty. Over 200,000 taels of embezzled silver were deposited into the imperial treasury, much to the delight of Zhu Youxiao.
Well, I will give out money without hesitation and will not be stingy in rewarding the soldiers.
Zhu Youxiao calculated that it should be enough, with some left over.
His mood improved again, and Zhu Youxiao also felt that this emperor was too obsessed with money.
But there's nothing I can do. If I don't work hard and plan carefully, I won't be able to sit firmly on the throne. I'm a man determined to live another 500 years, so I have to think long-term and not be reckless.
A figure flashed past the door of the hall. Zhu Youxiao took a quick look and found that it was Li Chengcheng, who walked in hesitantly with Xiaobai in his arms, and sat down at the small table in the corner of the hall with his head lowered.
It sounds funny that hamster Li Chengcheng becomes a cat slave.
Zhu Youxiao smiled and said, "Come here and play the game of guessing heads and tails with me."
Li Chengcheng's face immediately flushed. He slowly took out the silver dollar from the drawer and shyly rubbed it over.
You little brat, it seems like I'm bullying you.
If I lose, I kiss you. If I win, you kiss me. How fair is that?
Zhu Youxiao waved his hand generously and said shamelessly, "I won't take advantage of you. You throw first and I'll guess. Is that fair?"
Li Chengcheng lowered his head and bit his lip shyly, thinking: This is not taking advantage, it's fair. Your Majesty, you are really, really...
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