After saying this, Zhu Youxiao looked at Zhang Weixian and said with a smile: "Things that everyone in the world knows must be kept secret from the emperor. Otherwise, how can we make money?"
Hearing what Zhu Youxiao said, Zhang Weixian turned pale and sweat poured down his face.
In fact, Zhang Weixian had not experienced these things, but he knew it very well in his heart. To put it bluntly, the salt administration reform at that time was a feast of wealth.
Civil officials, nobles, and relatives of the emperor all remembered the fortunes they made from that reform. The salt administration was reformed in the fifth year of the Hongzhi reign, but by the fifteenth year, the Ming dynasty was already collapsing.
In just ten years, the national finances were on the verge of collapse. The soldiers at the border had no money or food, and the salt tax collected by the court was decreasing. The extra millions of taels collected were not enough to cover the expenses of the nobles and their relatives.
The already fragile court finances almost collapsed.
Zhu Youxiao was also very clear in his heart that it was not until Emperor Zhengde ascended the throne, reused Liu Jin, and accumulated wealth from all sides that the Ming Dynasty was able to breathe a sigh of relief, otherwise it would have collapsed.
As for the result, everyone could see that Emperor Hongzhi was a benevolent monarch; as for Emperor Zhengde, he had no descendants and died by drowning.
The court officials had a very high opinion of Emperor Hongzhi. On the contrary, the Chenghua Emperor who came before him and the Zhengde Emperor who came after him were not so well regarded.
The Chenghua Emperor supported Wang Zhi, the Zhengde Emperor supported Liu Jin, and the Hongzhi Emperor was diligent in his work and loved his people. The Chenghua Emperor was far less praised than the Hongzhi Emperor, let alone the Zhengde Emperor.
Think again about Emperor Tianqi and Emperor Chongzhen.
Zhu Youxiao let out a long sigh.
"Alright, it's been so many years, it's not your fault." Zhu Youxiao looked at Zhang Weixian and said slowly, "Sit down and talk."
After Zhang Weixian sat down, Zhu Youxiao continued, "The Ming Dynasty has been around for over two hundred years. Many things are already on the verge of decay and decay, yet they've become ingrained in our bones. How can we change them?"
"We must take action against the salt, but we must not start with the nobles and their relatives. If you really want to investigate, then follow me to Shandong this time. After arriving in Shandong, we will move on to Lianghuai. I believe you will be able to find something. Then it will depend on whether you dare to take action."
After hearing this, Zhang Weixian quickly stood up and said, "Your Majesty, please let it go. No matter who is involved, I will be impartial and will never bend the law for personal gain."
"Okay, then you go back and prepare." Zhu Youxiao said to Zhang Weixian.
After coming out of Xiyuan, Zhang Weixian's face instantly turned dark and he felt unwell all over.
He cursed Xu Xi in his heart, and at the same time, he felt chilled to the bone. Things had gone wrong!
You're shooting yourself in the foot!
Zhang Weixian's original intention was just to make a move to occupy the nest. To let the emperor see his loyalty, and to make a simple break with the nobles and relatives of the nobles, so as to achieve his own political goals, get a step closer to the General Staff, integrate the nobles and relatives of the nobles, and leave a good impression on the military.
But His Majesty obviously did not want me to do this. What His Majesty wanted me to do was to overthrow the salt administration and preside over the entire salt administration reform.
What is happening?
How many people in the Ming Dynasty made a fortune from salt?
Ordinary local people, salt merchants, officials at all levels, nobles and relatives, and even the military from all over the country, all got their hands on the salt, and all made a fortune from it.
If he wanted to touch the salt, he would offend everyone. The reason why Ye Qi's salt policy reform was able to be carried out was because it was in line with people's hearts and everyone was waiting for the change.
Officials at all levels, salt merchants from all over the country, nobles and relatives of the nobles, headed by Zhang Heling, the Marquis of Shouning, were eagerly awaiting the reform. Under such circumstances, it was natural that everyone was looking forward to the reform of the salt administration.
But if he were to preside over the salt administration reform, he would be courting death.
Thinking of this, Zhang Weixian really didn't know what to say. Things had completely gone against his original intention, and this was definitely not what he wanted.
But now that His Majesty has set his sights on me, what should I do? Tell His Majesty that I don't want to do it?
Isn't that courting death?
I spoke of my righteousness at the beginning, but later I became timid and even retreated. How would His Majesty view me? Everything I had done was in vain.
It’s all Xu Xi’s fault!
What a fool who is more likely to cause trouble than to do anything else!
Zhang Weixian really wanted to kill Xu Xi!
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