I was compiling the daily records during the Wanli reign

Chapter 243 Royal Parasites! A Golden Rice Bowl Turns into a Silver Rice Bowl, Better to Smash It!
On the 26th day of the first month, the regular court assembly was held, and all the officials gathered at the Huangji Gate.

These two days.

The news of the unauthorized marriage by members of the Jinan imperial family had spread like wildfire throughout the capital's government offices.

It was common knowledge that members of the imperial family were having children indiscriminately, getting married without permission, and fraudulently claiming their stipends; it was just that no one had spoken out about it.

After all, his surname is Zhu, and he considers himself the master of the Ming Dynasty.

Officials could tell from the cabinet's draft proposals that the three cabinet ministers were forced to let the young Wanli Emperor make the decision because it was "a matter concerning the Zhu family."

In fact, the inclination was that the young Wanli Emperor would be willing to sacrifice his own family for the sake of the new policies.

Today's court assembly is not only to address the issue of unauthorized marriages among the imperial clan in Jinan Prefecture, but also to resolve the problem of the rapidly growing imperial clan population across the country, which is constantly overstepping its bounds and exploiting the people.

Not long after.

After the official in charge of the Court of Transmission finished reading the memorial, the young Wanli Emperor sat up straight and began to talk about the matter.

"Recently, the Imperial Censor of the Ministry of Justice and Xu Jing, the Imperial Censor of Shandong Province, jointly impeached the Shandong imperial clan for their unauthorized marriages. I'm sure you all know this. A group of imperial clan members in Jinan Prefecture also submitted a memorial, admitting their mistakes and expressing their helplessness and grievances. The annual stipend for the imperial clan is an ancestral system. Under the new policy of land surveying throughout the country and the gradual increase in the proportion of rice stipends paid by the court to the imperial clan, many imperial clan members are not having an easy time."

"I have decided that, in response to the unauthorized marriage of members of the imperial clan in Jinan Prefecture, the false members of the imperial clan will be stripped of their titles and names, while the true members of the imperial clan will have their identities added to the Imperial Register without punishment. Do any of you have any objections?"

After saying this, the young Wanli Emperor paused slightly and then said, "As for how to solve the problem of the rapid growth of the imperial family population, I would like to hear the opinions of my ministers. I hope that the court can save face, otherwise I will be ashamed to face my ancestors in the future!"

Emperor Wanli knew that after Hai Rui exposed this matter, the officials would definitely want to completely eradicate the problem of the imperial family's rampant procreation in order to implement the new policies.

However, he hoped to resolve the matter leniently rather than directly severing the royal family's lifeline.

After all, Zhu Yuanzhang's "Imperial Ancestral Regulations of the Ming Dynasty" stipulated that members of the imperial clan should not farm, engage in industry, trade, or serve as officials. If the restrictions on the imperial clan were too severe, it could easily lead to unrest within the clan.

As soon as the young Wanli Emperor opened his mouth, he expressed his attitude.

Since the cabinet's draft resolutions were left to his discretion, he lightly punished the members of the imperial clan in Jinan Prefecture, thus preventing the three cabinet ministers from raising any further objections.

In an instant, the court officials all figured out what the young Wanli Emperor was thinking.

The young Wanli Emperor looked directly at Pan Sheng, the Minister of Rites, and asked, "What does the Ministry of Rites think should be done to resolve this matter?"

At present, the Imperial Clan Court is a mere shell of its former self. The Ministry of Rites is the main government agency responsible for managing the actual affairs of the imperial clan, with the Ministry of Revenue playing a secondary role.

Pan Sheng slowly stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, I believe that we should strictly investigate those members of the imperial clan who marry without authorization. Those who marry without permission should be severely punished, while those who marry without authorization should only be given a title and not a rank. All members of the imperial clan should be prohibited from falsely claiming titles. In other cases, the 'Regulations on Imperial Clan Affairs' implemented during the Jiajing era can be continued."

Little Wanli nodded with satisfaction.

He liked this strategy of focusing on control to prevent unrest within the royal family.

"Prime Minister, what do you think?" asked the young Wanli Emperor.

Shen Nian, standing below, clearly noticed that the corners of Xiao Wanli's mouth were slightly upturned, revealing a faint smile.

The young Wanli Emperor knew that Pan Sheng, the Minister of Rites, was conservative and preferred to consider the overall situation. Therefore, after expressing his opinion, he first asked Pan Sheng and then Zhang Juzheng.

If Zhang Juzheng had seconded the proposal, the officials below would have certainly followed suit, and the matter would have been resolved in a conservative manner.

This is exactly the solution he wanted.

At that moment, all the officials looked at Zhang Juzheng, who was standing at the very front.

Most officials did not want Zhang Juzheng to second his proposal.

Unauthorized marriages among members of the royal family are a problem, but not a major one. The real problem is the rampant births among members of the royal family, leading to population explosion.

Even if Emperor Wanli had only dealt seriously with the issue of unauthorized marriages among members of the imperial clan, he still would not have been able to completely eradicate the deep-seated problem of the imperial clan threatening the court's finances and local stability.

"I second that!" Zhang Juzheng thought for a moment and replied earnestly.

How could Zhang Juzheng not see through the young Wanli Emperor's thoughts?

He was only doing this for the sake of the overall situation, believing that it was not appropriate to go against the imperial clan at the moment. In addition, he had no good solution to properly handle the matter, so he could only support this idea of ​​"solving the problem piecemeal".

"I second that proposal!" Shen Shixing was the first to step forward and bow.

"I second the proposal!"

"I second the proposal!"

……

One after another, officials stood up to second the proposal, while some officials who opposed the solution, having no other options and fearing being labeled as "violating ancestral rules," chose to remain silent.

At that moment, Shen Nian's mind raced.

He also opposed this "patching and mending" solution, but he had no cure.

He even considered implementing family planning for the royal family.

But then he thought that doing so would be tantamount to cursing the Zhu family line to end, and the young Wanli Emperor would certainly not agree to it.

Just then, a clear, crisp sound rang out.

"Your Majesty, I object!"

"In my opinion, this solution is only a temporary fix and does not address the root cause. It only solves the problem of unauthorized marriages among members of the imperial clan. The biggest problem for the imperial clan right now is their overpopulation, which leads to them appropriating too much of the court's money and grain, resulting in excessive expenditures of the national treasury!"

The one who spoke was none other than Wang Xijue, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites and Academician of the Hanlin Academy.

Wang Xijue was always a straightforward official who spoke his mind.

A smile appeared on Shen Nian's face. Wang Xijue's willingness to voice his opposition showed that he already had a plan in mind.

The young Wanli Emperor looked at Wang Xijue.

"It is an ancestral system of our dynasty for the imperial court to support the imperial family. I cannot possibly call on all members of the imperial family in the provinces to stop having children. Does Scholar Wang have a good solution?"

"Your Majesty, I have three strategies that may be feasible!"

"speak!"

Wang Xijue took two steps forward, raised his head and said, "Firstly, limit one's salary."

"I believe that the court should fix the total amount of stipends for each prince's residence according to their rank, and make the excess amount to be adjusted within the prince's residence. This would not be linked to the number of offspring, thus reducing the pressure on the court and stopping the abnormal phenomenon of 'more sons, more stipends' for members of the imperial family!"

"Secondly, restrictions were placed on the hereditary succession of titles."

“The Imperial Register is revised annually. If the current Fengguo Lieutenant (the lowest rank of nobility) has a son who is fifteen years old, only the eldest son will be granted the title. The other sons will be registered as commoners. After the Fengguo Lieutenant, the title will be granted for two generations, but no title or name will be given. They will be allowed to be registered as commoners and engage in the four professions!”

"Thirdly, some members of the imperial clan were allowed to make a living on their own."

"The focus is on restricting the privileges of high-ranking members of the imperial family (princes and dukes), and no titles will be conferred without merit. For lower-ranking members of the imperial family, restrictions on their occupations will be relaxed, allowing them to make a living on their own. Members of the imperial family who are commoners without titles or names can participate in the imperial examinations."

……

After Wang Xijue finished speaking, the entire Huangji Gate was completely silent.

The strategies that officials were considering were all about turning the royal family's "golden rice bowl" into a "silver rice bowl," or even an "iron rice bowl."

Wang Xijue, on the other hand, directly threatened to deprive the imperial clan of their livelihood. Zhu Yuanzhang said: "Treat your descendants well." Wang Xijue said: "Restrict their stipends."

Zhu Yuanzhang said: Members of the imperial family do not need to engage in any professions, and their expenses will be borne by the court; Wang Xijue said: Members of the imperial family should be allowed to make a living on their own.

Zhu Yuanzhang said: Members of the imperial clan should not participate in the imperial examinations; Wang Xijue said: Members of the imperial clan should be encouraged to participate in the imperial examinations.

Wang Xijue's three policies were completely contrary to ancestral rules.

The young Wanli Emperor's face darkened, and he said, "Scholar Wang, if I follow your strategy, when we meet the Taizu Emperor a hundred years from now, do you think he will beat you first or me first?"

At this moment, Shen Shixing quickly stepped forward.

“Scholar Wang, these three policies not only violate ancestral rules, but if implemented, they will inevitably cause turmoil among the imperial clan. I think your original intention was to save money for the court, but these three policies are too reckless and simply not feasible!”

Shen Shixing appeared to be criticizing Wang Xijue, but in reality, he was trying to make Wang Xijue back down. Otherwise, given the latter's stubbornness, he might have dared to retort to the young Wanli Emperor's angry words.

Unfortunately, Shen Shixing underestimated Wang Xijue's stubbornness.

He didn't step back, but instead took two more steps forward.

"How can you conclude that it's unfeasible without even trying? I know these three policies violate ancestral rules, but have the current members of the imperial clan not violated them? Emperor Taizu ordered them not to serve as officials or engage in commerce, but at least half of the imperial clan are secretly doing business. They use the stipends they receive from the court as capital, and with their privileges, they either run money shops or pawnshops and brothels, constantly competing with the people for profits to satisfy their extravagant lifestyles!"

"These people first exploit the court, then the people; they are insatiable and are nothing but parasites on the Ming Dynasty. I believe the court need not continue to support them for the sake of appearances. The new policies and reforms are changing some ancestral systems that are no longer suitable for the present. At present, the best way to solve this hidden danger is to act decisively and cleanly!"

……

"Your Majesty, the imperial clan's population is expanding and encroaching on the treasury, undermining the foundation of the Ming Dynasty. We cannot allow it to continue to grow unchecked. I believe that if the founding emperor knew the current state of the Ming Dynasty, he would certainly support this policy. The eternal stability of the Ming Dynasty is above all else!" Wang Xijue said, raising his voice.

His words immediately silenced the entire Huangji Sect.

Even Zhang Juzheng stroked his long beard and began to think seriously.

Just then, an official from the Ministry of Justice stepped forward.

"Scholar Wang, you have a penchant for exaggerating problems! Right now, our dynasty is thriving, and supporting the imperial family is no problem at all. How come in your mouth, the imperial family has become a hindrance to the development of the nation? Are you cursing the imperial family of our Great Ming to die out, and diluting the dragon energy of our Great Ming imperial family?"

These words immediately exposed Wang Xijue's crimes.

"Scholar Wang, governing a country is like managing a family. According to your logic, if you were to become the Grand Secretary one day, would you sever ties with all your poor relatives because they are likely to hold you back?"

“Scholar Wang, making members of the imperial family engage in four professions is the real way to compete with the people for profit. According to your strategy, within three years, many members of the imperial family who have been stripped of their titles will be destitute, starving, or even become beggars. This...isn't this a disgrace to the Ming Dynasty’s imperial family?”

……

One official after another stepped forward to criticize Wang Xijue for deliberately exaggerating the negative impact of the imperial clan.

The words were like knives, piercing Wang Xijue's body.

In the blink of an eye, Wang Xijue became a disloyal, unfilial, unkind, and unjust person.

After a while.

Seeing that the criticism against him had subsided somewhat, Wang Xijue suddenly took out a large piece of paper from his bosom and loudly proclaimed, "Your Majesty, I have concrete evidence to prove that the court is unable to support the imperial family!"

Swish!Swish!Swish!
Wang Xijue unfolded the large sheet of paper, revealing a coordinate system broken line graph.

He exclaimed, “Your Majesty, I have thoroughly investigated the growth of the imperial clan in recent years. Based on the current growth trend, the imperial clan will reach one million people in sixty years! If the annual grain supply from various parts of our dynasty to the capital does not increase more than tenfold after sixty years, how will we support this million-strong imperial clan?”

Without significant territorial expansion, even if the land survey were completed, the Ming Dynasty could not increase its grain production tenfold, let alone double it.

Say it.

Wang Xijue waved the large piece of paper at the officials behind him who were criticizing him, and then handed it to the young eunuch who came over.

Immediately, the area under the Huangji Gate fell silent once more.

Let the evidence speak for itself; it's better than a thousand words.

At present, only those who can draw a line graph to prove that the imperial court can still more than support a million members of the imperial family in sixty or one hundred years will be qualified to refute Wang Xijue.

After carefully examining the diagram, the young Wanli Emperor said, "All of you, take a look!"

Emperor Wanli himself might not be able to discern the truth from the falsehood of the line chart, but his many ministers could. If Wang Xijue's data was seriously distorted, those opposing officials would certainly point it out.

After all, this line chart proved almost everyone wrong.

Soon, the line chart was passed around among the officials.

The officials remained silent upon seeing this.

They made a lot of noise, but they didn't seriously consider the long-term plan for the Ming Dynasty, while Wang Xijue took it all into account.

The three cabinet ministers all frowned after reading it.

Given the current trend, the problem of the burgeoning imperial family population must be addressed as soon as possible; otherwise, once this malignant tumor explodes, it will inevitably endanger the Ming Dynasty's rule.

Before long, all the ministers and officials who had just criticized Wang Xijue lowered their heads.

Their physical reactions say it all.

At this moment, the Huangji Sect fell silent once again, with only Wang Xijue holding his head high.

Zhang Juzheng thought for a moment and prepared to step forward.

When a consensus cannot be reached at a court meeting, the meeting must be quickly halted, and the officials must then deliberate before submitting a memorial to the emperor to address the matter.

Just as he was about to step out, he saw Shen Nian walk quickly to the center of the main hall.

Shen Nian cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, our dynasty's kinship is so extensive that it surpasses that of previous dynasties."

"In my opinion, Scholar Wang's three policies are excellent, but they are difficult to implement. Even if they are forcibly implemented, the results will be unsatisfactory, and the local royal family will inevitably cause a great disturbance, which will affect the new policy reforms."

"How about we use the revision of the 'Regulations on the Imperial Clan' as a pretext to allow local members of the imperial clan, whether princes or dukes, to come to the capital on behalf of their local relatives to discuss this matter with the court. Only after this matter is resolved can they return to their fiefdoms!"

Upon hearing this, the officials couldn't help but look at Shen Nian with surprise, while Wang Xijue's eyes lit up.

Shen Nian's words contained profound meaning.

It appears to be a discussion with representatives of the imperial clan, but in reality, anyone who disagrees with the court's new policies or fails to persuade members of the imperial clan in their region will be kept under house arrest in the capital.

Shen Nian's move, though seemingly gentle, was actually quite ruthless.

Furthermore, this matter could be presented as a result of discussions between the court and the imperial family, rather than an indication that the young Wanli Emperor violated ancestral rules and acted arbitrarily.

Zhang Juzheng couldn't help but laugh when he heard this.

Shen Nianzhi's plan was to get the imperial clan to cooperate with the court in taking away their livelihoods. As for how to persuade them, the court had countless ways to do so once they arrived in the capital.

“It’s feasible!” Little Wanli nodded.

His greatest pressures came from two sources: violating ancestral rules and causing unrest within the imperial clan.

Shen Nian's plan effectively avoids these two points, and Wang Xijue's three strategies can be adjusted according to the actual situation during the discussion.

Many officials who thought these three policies would be difficult to implement suddenly became less resistant to Wang Xijue's three policies after hearing Shen Nianzhi's method. They felt that the chances of these three policies succeeding would be greatly increased if implemented in this way.

(End of this chapter)