"The money from donating to an official position can just make up for the deficit in the national treasury?" Zhu Cilang was unable to react for a moment, "What do you mean by that?"
"Let me give you an example." Ni Yuanlu stood up to help Fang Yuegong explain: "Assuming that each donation quota is worth three taels of silver, the deficit of the national treasury is ten taels of silver. In order to make up for the deficit of the national treasury, the court needs to sell four quotas, which can be sold for twelve taels of silver."
"But the merchants knew the amount of the deficit in advance and were unwilling to buy it at the price of three taels of silver per quota. They were only willing to pay two and a half taels. After all, in their opinion, as long as the deficit was made up, there was no need to spend more money."
"If the court disagrees, they won't buy. If the court agrees, the merchants will not only save money, but also set a precedent for threatening the court and making it comply."
"So the imperial court is so passive?" Zhu Cilang was a little surprised. "Aren't the merchants afraid of provoking the imperial court and getting attacked by them?"
"Whether they are afraid or not is not up to the salt merchants themselves. It depends on the attitude of the officials and gentry behind them." Fang Yuegong chuckled, "But the court is not passive. After all, this matter depends on the needs of the merchants. If the demand is large, they will rush to buy; if the demand is small, the situation just mentioned will occur."
"Is there any way to influence the demands of merchants?" Zhu Cilang asked again.
"Of course!" Fang Yuegong smiled faintly: "Your Highness only needs to issue an order."
"What is the content of the decree?" Zhu Cilang asked expectantly.
"Order the government offices in the places where the Lianghuai salt merchants are located to check the merchants' houses and their use of servants. If nothing unexpected happens, all the Lianghuai salt merchants and even all the merchants will have committed behaviors including but not limited to wearing silk in violation of regulations, having houses exceeding the standards, using servants in violation of regulations, and...taking concubines in violation of regulations!" Fang Yuegong replied.
"Great!" Zhu Cilang slapped his thigh happily.
The crimes mentioned by Fang Yuegong can all be found in the "Great Ming Code".
First of all, common people (including merchants) were not allowed to wear silk, otherwise they would be guilty of usurpation.
The crime of 50 lashes shall be committed by the head of the family.
Secondly, there are different restrictions on houses for people of different identities.
Dukes could live in a house with seven rooms and nine frames; officials of the first rank could live in a house with five rooms and nine frames; ordinary people could only live in a house with three rooms and five frames, and could not use bracket sets or colorful decorations.
"间" can be understood as the number of rooms, and "架" refers to the number of purlins on the beam frame.
At that time.
Beams and purlins are basically made of wood, but there are length restrictions on the wood suitable for beams.
If the length of the beam is used as the basic unit.
Then, the space limits the left and right width of the house.
The frame limits the front and back depth of the house.
Violators will not only have their buildings demolished, but will also be punished with caning.
Furthermore.
Common people are not allowed to keep slaves. Those who violate the order will be beaten with the stick 100 times.
Not to mention taking a concubine.
A commoner could take a concubine only if he was over 40 and had no children. Anyone who violated this rule would be flogged forty times.
Not to mention businessmen, even wealthy ordinary people may commit these crimes.
If taken seriously, merchants would be beaten to death by these punishments.
but...
If you hold an official position, all other problems will no longer exist except those related to illegal housing.
Completely compliant and legal.
"Your Highness, please remember this," Fang Yuegong reminded seriously, "When checking the merchants' violations of the regulations this time, you must only investigate but not punish them. Let them know that the court knows they are guilty, and as for when to punish them, it depends on the court's attitude. This is like a sword hanging over their heads, making them unable to sleep all night. In order to get rid of the charges and sleep well, they will definitely compete for the quota of donating officials."
"Mr. Fang's plan is indeed brilliant. I will write the order right away." Zhu Cilang bowed deeply to Fang Yuegong, picked up paper and pen and started writing it himself.
After writing it, he asked Ni Yuanlu and Fang Yuegong to look at it respectively. After confirming that it was correct, he gave it to the eunuch Chen Kuan and asked him to draft the edict according to the procedure.
After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Fang Yuegong stood up and said goodbye.
After Fang Yuegong's back disappeared behind the palace gate in the distance, Zhu Cilang let out a long sigh of relief: "Huh..."
Ni Yuanlu asked with a smile: "May I ask what your Highness thinks of Fang Yuegong's talent?"
"Great!" Zhu Cilang raised his right thumb, "As expected of someone who has served as a cabinet minister and the Minister of Finance, he is very talented and knowledgeable."
"Does Your Highness think he is qualified to be your teacher?"
"Yes," Zhu Cilang nodded first, then frowned: "But... he is too talkative and too bold. I am afraid that he was sent by the emperor to test me."
"Don't be afraid, Your Highness," Ni Yuanlu comforted him, "Fang Yuegong previously held an important position in the capital, and there were many things he couldn't say. Now that he has finally resigned and is serving the people, he can just speak without restraint."
"Besides, I hope he was sent by His Majesty."
"Why?" Zhu Cilang was a little confused.
"Your Majesty sent him here to show that Your Majesty values Your Highness," Ni Yuanlu explained.
"Oh, by the way," Zhu Cilang thought of something important, "Did you ask him about Prince Ding and Prince Yong?"
"I asked him, and he said he couldn't see the future." Ni Yuanlu said in a deep voice: "But Your Highness, don't worry. You are not only the crown prince, but also the eldest son!"
"Then...why did my father want to leave the students in Nanjing?" Zhu Cilang was worried.
"Fang Yuegong should know something, but he refuses to say it clearly. I am stupid and failed to guess what he was thinking." Ni Yuanlu was a little discouraged.
"Alas!" Zhu Cilang sighed, "Sir, please don't blame yourself. Only father knows the truth about this matter."
The two chatted for a long time and didn't stop until the evening.
Ni Yuanlu said goodbye and left, preparing a welcoming banquet for Fang Yuegong.
Zhu Cilang returned to the harem in a depressed mood to eat and rest.
The next morning, the six ministries in Nanjing sent Zhu Cilang's order in the form of an official document to the local government where the Lianghuai salt merchants were located.
The officials were very excited after receiving the order.
Although the official document from the Nanjing court only asked them to investigate but not punish, they could take the opportunity to extort bribes from the salt merchants.
"Open the door," two runners from the yamen shouted outside a salt merchant's house.
The gate opened and the housekeeper came out.
He bowed and nodded to the officer and asked, "What do you want, sirs?"
"An order?" The officer sneered, "The court has issued an order to strictly investigate common people who violate the rules."
"Over the limit?" The housekeeper paused for a moment. "What do you mean by over the limit?"
"Don't play dumb," the officer pushed the butler aside and walked straight inside. "Commoners are not allowed to wear silk, the house cannot be too big, servants cannot be used, and there are restrictions on taking concubines. Do you have these situations in your house?"
"No, how could there be any?" The butler took the lead and stood in front of the two officers, and took out two Ming Dynasty round treasures from his arms: "Haven't the two gentlemen already seen it?"
The two officers looked at the big Ming round treasure in the butler's hand with some disgust.
Under normal circumstances, they would happily leave with Yuanbao.
After all, no one has enough silver to last for a period of time.
But not today.
Because they had official documents in their hands and were conducting an investigation on orders.
If you want to get away with it...you have to pay more.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
