I was compiling the daily records during the Wanli reign

Chapter 126 The Young Wanli Emperor's "Shen Nian-style" Speech at the Regular Court Session
The 17th day of the first lunar month, early morning.

After giving Feng Bao a severe scolding in the inner court, Empress Dowager Li punished him with a six-month salary deduction for his negligence in performing his duties. She then ordered the replacement of a large number of eunuchs and female officials in charge of selecting the empress.

after that.

The two empress dowagers (Empress Dowager Rensheng Chen and Empress Dowager Cisheng Li) first went to the Wenhua Hall to apologize to the young Wanli Emperor, and then went to the Fengxian Hall, where the ancestral tablets of the emperors of the Ming Dynasty were displayed, to apologize again.

The two wept like two heartbroken people in the Fengxian Hall.

The selection of the empress dowager was crucial to the future of the Ming Dynasty and was the most important responsibility of the two empress dowagers.

Now, they have been manipulated by eunuchs and female officials to seek personal gain. Both empress dowagers are guilty.

Fortunately, it was discovered in advance.

If this affair were to be exposed after the young Wanli Emperor's marriage, and the new empress were found to be morally flawed, then the two empress dowagers would be guilty of a great crime. They would surely be recorded in history by civil officials, leaving behind a bad reputation for "failing to carefully select an empress for the emperor."

at the same time.

Under the orders of the young Wanli Emperor, the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the Three Judicial Offices, and the Shuntian Prefecture will continue to rigorously investigate officials involved in "colluding with eunuchs to seek personal gain in the matter of the imperial selection of the empress."

That afternoon.

The three chief ministers, the head of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the Censorate, and the Shuntian Prefecture all submitted memorials to plead guilty.

The young Wanli Emperor personally uncovered a series of problems in the capital, including officials' laziness, collusion among officials, corruption of public funds, and the difficulty for ordinary people to file complaints.

They not only failed in their duties, but also lost all face.

This incident also gave the officials a new impression of the young Wanli Emperor.

"He is gradually developing his skills."

In the past, the young Wanli Emperor was completely unrelated to the word "skill" and most officials thought he was just a kite in Zhang Juzheng's hands.

Who would have thought that the young Wanli would grow up so fast this year, turning from a kite with a string into a fledgling eagle in the blink of an eye.

this moment.

Emperor Wanli was still furious and withheld all the memorials of apology from the emperor, temporarily detaining them.

He was waiting, waiting for the outcome of the house raid.

He wanted to see exactly how much these "hypocritical" officials had embezzled, and also wanted to use this incident to further increase the influence of imperial power in the court.

……

The people in the streets and alleys of the capital were very excited when they heard about this.

What they most desire to see are officials and eunuchs who abuse their power, create various injustices, and embezzle public funds being brought to justice.

The emperor's personal intervention has greatly excited them.

Some opera troupes have already started to create plays based on this event. These plays, which praise the emperor, are not only not banned by the court, but may even be promoted.

……

The nineteenth day of the first lunar month, in the afternoon.

Shi Qing, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, appeared in the Wenhua Hall and presented a list of confiscated property.

Upon seeing this, the young Wanli Emperor's face turned ashen, and he clenched his fists tightly.

He suspected that this group of people must have committed embezzlement and accumulated a lot of wealth, but he never expected it to be so much!
"Your Majesty, the homes of more than twenty officials, eunuchs, and female officials have been searched and confiscated. A total of about 3,600 taels of gold, 128,000 taels of silver, gold and silver artifacts, antiques and paintings, as well as the farmland, houses, and shops they confessed to, have been seized, totaling 350,000 taels of silver."

"Among them, Yu Xiu, a eunuch in the Imperial Household Department, had the most, amounting to more than 50,000 taels of silver, while Peng Chong, a judge in the Court of Judicial Review, had the least, amounting to 8,000 taels of silver. It has been confirmed that these assets were not their family's ancestral wealth, but rather what they acquired while serving as officials."

……

"Three hundred and fifty thousand taels of silver! Three hundred and fifty thousand taels of silver! Three hundred and fifty thousand taels of silver!" The young Wanli Emperor gritted his teeth and repeated it three times.

This money is enough for him to get married four times.

Thanks to Shen Nian's popularization.

Emperor Wanli had already gained some understanding of the income of various social classes at that time.

A typical tenant farmer can earn about ten taels a year, while his expenses are also around ten taels, mostly from grain income. If a famine strikes, he will immediately go hungry.

A self-cultivating farmer can earn about twenty taels a year, a small merchant can earn thirty or forty taels, and a commoner who can earn more than one hundred taels a year is considered rich.

A minister of the second rank in the imperial court received an annual salary of 152 taels of silver.

The annual military expenditure in the northern border region is approximately one million taels.

From April of the second year of the Wanli reign to April of the third year of the Wanli reign, the annual silver revenue of the Taicang Treasury (national treasury) was 4,136,000 taels.

The budget for the young Wanli Emperor's wedding was strictly controlled by the cabinet to be within 100,000 taels.

Emperor Wanli knew that officials were paid according to precedent rather than by salary.

He boldly speculated that it was already quite exaggerated for each person to have more than a thousand taels of silver in assets.

It is unbelievable that these officials, whose highest rank was only a mid-to-low-level official of the fifth rank, were able to embezzle such a huge amount of money.

"What about officials of the fifth rank and above?" the young Wanli murmured. "No wonder the court is so poor, no wonder the people are living such a hard life. It turns out that it's all because of these big rats embezzling!"

At this moment, the young Wanli Emperor was furious.

These officials, for their own selfish gain, treated their marriages as a money-making scheme; they are vermin of the nation and corrupt officials.

His eyes were somewhat dazed, and he suddenly felt as if he were standing above the Chang Dynasty.

Above the heads of the civil and military officials below him, a line of small characters floated: 120,000 taels, 200,000 taels, 300,000 taels, 720,000 taels, 900,000 taels...

All the money in the imperial treasury and the inner treasury ended up in the pockets of officials.

After pausing for a moment, the young Wanli Emperor looked at Shi Qing.

"Before the morning court session begins tomorrow, move all the gold and silver seized from these homes to the Huangji Gate. I want all the civil and military officials to see how these people serve the court and how loyal they are to me!"

"Your humble servant obeys!" Shi Qing said, cupping his hands in greeting.

……

The next day.

The first regular court session after the Lantern Festival was held at the fourth watch of the night.

Before dawn, the palace was brightly lit.

When the officials passed through the Meridian Gate and arrived at the Imperial Gate, they were all shocked to see a mountain of gold and silver treasures!
Huangji Gate, in the middle.

A huge pile of valuables, about two zhang high, stood there.

It contains gold and silver, jewelry, land deeds, pearls, agate, jade, calligraphy and paintings, silks and satins, and various ornaments.

A dazzling array of items, sparkling and gleaming.

There were even some items used by the imperial family within the palace.

Not far away, several court painters were painting this scene.

this moment.

Some officials had beads of cold sweat on their foreheads.

He was pondering how much wealth would be found if his home were raided, and how many people in his family would be implicated.

Shen Nian smiled and murmured, "It seems His Majesty is preparing to teach everyone a lesson at today's court session!"

Shen Nian really hoped that the young Wanli Emperor could become more assertive.

In this way, he can get closer and closer to taking power.

For a new policy to succeed, it must be led by the emperor; otherwise, it will most likely fail.

Moreover, Zhang Juzheng faces a very big hurdle this year.

Perhaps, taking advantage of the young Wanli's wedding, he can naturally try to rule in his own right, and Shen Nian will have more room to display his talents.

……

After a while.

All the officials gathered in front of the Imperial Gate. Shen Nian, as the official in charge of recording the emperor's daily activities, stood to the southeast of the emperor.

Feng Bao did not arrive.

He was sent by the young Wanli Emperor to train some eunuchs in the inner court, and he could not leave the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs for seven days.

After the formalities were completed, the young Wanli Emperor announced loudly, "My lords, take a look at this list of confiscated property!"

immediately.

A junior eunuch, carrying a list of confiscated property, was the first to present it to Zhang Juzheng.

Zhang Juzheng slowly opened the book, glanced through it expressionlessly, and then handed it to Lü Diaoyang.

With a serious expression, Lü Diaoyang quickly glanced at the document and handed it to Zhang Siwei.

Zhang Siwei read it carefully, feeling somewhat uneasy.

If the Zhang family were to have their property confiscated, the scale would be far greater than this, and it would definitely cause a national sensation.

But he thought about it again.

The family affairs had already been arranged, and even if Hai Rui wanted to kill him, he would never be able to find sufficient evidence.

At this moment, he only hoped that Hai Rui would submit the investigation results as soon as possible, so that he could feel a little more at ease.

Since the end of last year.

Emperor Wanli, Zhang Juzheng, Ma Ziqiang, and others all distanced themselves from him, which made Zhang Siwei particularly uncomfortable.

Swish!Swish!Swish!
The list of confiscated properties was quickly passed around among the officials.

This was the first time Wanli had his property confiscated since he ascended the throne.

The officials who saw the list of confiscated properties had different expressions.

Some had trembling legs and were sweating profusely; others were very excited, thinking the emperor was wise; still others just glanced at it and quickly handed it to someone else...

It took a full half hour for the officials attending the court to finish reading the list of confiscated property.

this moment.

Every official was full of energy, and not one of them dozed off.

Emperor Wanli looked around, and after all the officials were looking straight ahead, he slowly stood up.

"I am still young and unable to rule personally. Most of the affairs of the court are handled by the three Grand Secretaries, while the wedding is overseen by the two Empress Dowagers. This is my great fortune!"

"However, some officials, taking advantage of my youth, do not take my affairs or the affairs of the court seriously. I can no longer tolerate this, so I have dispatched the Embroidered Uniform Guard to investigate!"

"Since I ascended the throne, I have never been negligent. I am not unaware of the ugly deeds committed by some officials inside and outside the court. However, for the sake of the overall situation, I have turned a blind eye. I did not expect that some people would become more and more unscrupulous and go too far!"

"I want to tell everyone here that I am no longer a child, nor am I so easily bullied. If any corrupt official harms the government, I will show no leniency and will kill them all!"

this moment.

The young Wanli Emperor exuded a strong murderous aura, giving him a somewhat "young Yuanzhang" feel.

The word "欺" he used has both the meaning of deceiving and the meaning of bullying.

Little Wanli slowed down.

"This time, I ordered the Embroidered Uniform Guard to conduct a secret investigation, and they discovered three problems."

"Firstly, the people of the capital have nowhere to turn for help. If it is so difficult for the people of the capital to file a complaint, what about the remote prefectures and counties!"

"I hope that the officials in charge of some government offices will stop hiding inside their offices all the time. They should see the sunlight and meet the people. Set up a table outside the office and sit there for half an hour every day so that the people can see you and have the courage to file a complaint. Is that so difficult? Will it tire you out? If you don't have time to go, then I will go myself!"

Emperor Wanli's words were naturally directed at the Three Judicial Offices and Shuntian Prefecture.

Secondly, officials protect each other.

"I dislike the corrupt atmosphere in the court where everyone is intertwined with each other. The Great Ming Code is the standard by which an official conducts his duties. In the future, if I find any officials protecting each other, placing themselves above the law and indulging in personal relationships, I will punish them severely!"

"Thirdly, lazy officials are extremely harmful."

"What I detest most are lazy officials who hold their positions without doing their jobs. I hope the Ministry of Personnel will draft another regulation. For officials who are lazy or shirk their duties, it shouldn't be as simple as just dismissal. They should be severely punished so that they feel the pain!"

……

After the young Wanli Emperor finished speaking, Zhang Juzheng, Lü Diaoyang, Zhang Siwei, Ma Ziqiang, Shen Shixing, and others suddenly all looked at Shen Nian.

Just now.

The way Xiao Wanli spoke, his tone, and his approach to resolving the issue were remarkably similar to Shen Nian's style of doing things.

Domineering, tough, sharp, and showing no mercy.

It should be noted that since ascending the throne, the young Wanli Emperor has never been as assertive as he is today.

When Shen Nian felt the gazes from below, she was first taken aback, and then she instantly understood.

He also felt that what Xiao Wanli had just said was very much like his own style.

It's probably a case of "one is influenced by one's surroundings"!
At this moment, he could not bring himself to explain that the words of the young Wanli Emperor were not drafted by him and had nothing to do with him.

Even if I explain, I doubt anyone will believe me.

The looks they gave Shen Nian made her feel as if they were saying: It seems that only you, Shen Nian, are a close advisor, and we are all distant advisors.

at this time.

The young Wanli Emperor looked at Zhang Juzheng and asked, "Grand Secretary, do you have anything to add?"

The past.

When faced with a dilemma, the young Wanli Emperor would always ask, "Prime Minister, what do you think should be done?"

this moment.

The young Wanli Emperor suddenly felt that he had learned how to be an emperor.

This feeling made him feel a very heavy burden on his shoulders, but at the same time, it also felt particularly wonderful.

Zhang Juzheng strode out and said loudly, "Your Majesty, I have no objection. The Cabinet will draft the regulations in accordance with Your Majesty's words!"

Little Wanli nodded with satisfaction.

He glanced at the pile of valuables not far away and thought to himself: if these valuables were put into the imperial treasury, the budget for the wedding could be increased.

Just then, Zhang Juzheng spoke again.

"Your Majesty, these confiscated assets are the blood and sweat of the people and a loss to the national treasury. I suggest that these funds be deposited into the imperial granary for military needs."

Upon hearing this, the young Wanli Emperor frowned slightly.

The money deposited into the imperial treasury was the private wealth of the young Wanli Emperor; while the money deposited into the national treasury was the court's money.

The two are very different!
But Zhang Juzheng's words made sense, and the young Wanli Emperor smiled and said his usual words again: "What the Grand Secretary says makes sense, so let's do as the Grand Secretary says."

Then he retired from court.

After leaving Huangji Gate, the officials headed towards their respective government offices.

The young emperor taught all the civil and military officials a lesson today. After the lesson, everyone naturally had to write a memorial of self-reproach, including Shen Nian.

Before noon, a series of officials' self-criticism memorials were delivered to the Wenhua Hall.

Everyone admits they are wrong, and everyone claims they have learned something.

……

Night falls at the Shen residence.

Shen Nian told her father, Shen Yaoshan, and her father-in-law, Gu Dongyi, about what had happened at Changchao that day.

The young Wanli Emperor's domineering nature was largely due to the contributions of his father and father-in-law.

Early the next morning.

Shen Yaoshan and Gu Dongyi then very discreetly led their caravan away from the capital and headed north.

The two did not allow Shen Nian to see them off.

They didn't want others to know about Shen Nian's relationship with them.

They put into practice the famous saying, "The poor should cultivate their own virtue, while the rich should benefit all under heaven."

Just like Shen Nian.

He was simply thinking about what he could do for the Ming Dynasty and for its people.

As for the letter written by the young Wanli Emperor, it was kept close to their bodies by the two of them; it was a talisman for the Shen and Gu families.

(End of this chapter)