I was compiling the daily records during the Wanli reign

Chapter 330 The Loyal Minister Shen Lipeng! Young Wanli: Today, I am the protagonist!
On the thirteenth day of the twelfth lunar month, the sky was just beginning to brighten.

Very cold.

The Huangji Gate was brightly lit, with civil and military officials lined up on both sides.

Currently, regular court discussions have become the main way to resolve political issues.

All important political affairs were laid out in the open.

After reading several daily memorials, the official on duty at the Office of Transmission read aloud Shen Nian's "Policy on Punishing High-Interest Lending".

After reciting the text, he also recited several high-interest loan disputes that occurred within the jurisdiction of Shuntian Prefecture.

For example: creditors use wordplay to defraud debtors of their collateral; after the repayment date, interest rates skyrocket, exceeding the principal in just three days, forcing debtors to borrow more to repay their debts, causing the debt to keep doubling; creditors hire professional debt collectors to seize land, houses, and traffic people, etc.

Immediately, the young Wanli looked down.

"Currently, high-interest lending in the private sector is becoming increasingly rampant, making the relationship between creditors and lenders resemble that between tenants and landlords. This seriously affects private commerce and the lives of ordinary people. If this problem is not eradicated, commerce will not flourish, and the Single Whip Law will also be distorted. All of you, please stand up and share your thoughts!"

In matters of state, the emperor and his cabinet ministers rarely express their opinions first.

Upon hearing this, many officials couldn't help but fall into deep thought.

They were certain that the young Wanli Emperor and his cabinet ministers were aware that many nobles, officials, and wealthy merchants in the capital were lending money at high interest rates.

At least one hundred of the officials currently standing at Huangji Gate are involved in high-interest lending.

If Shen Nian's plan is followed and severe punishment is imposed, then today's Meridian Gate will surely be filled with wailing, a scene comparable to the kneeling and weeping remonstrance ceremony at Zuoshun Gate in the third year of Jiajing's reign.

Nowadays, without knowing the intentions of the young Wanli Emperor and Zhang Juzheng, rashly expressing one's opinions could easily make one a target of attacks.

Some officials buried their heads in their collars, not daring to look up at all.

Because I feel guilty.

They knew that the money earned from high-interest lending was ill-gotten gains, but they were still swayed by the huge profits and lost their conscience for the sake of money.

After a silence of about ten breaths, Chen Kai, the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, stepped forward.

The emperor ordered all officials to speak.

If no official steps forward, the censor must be the first to do so; if the discussion falls flat, then it is the censor's fault.

"Your Majesty, I believe that the rampant high-interest lending in the private sector has indeed undermined the Single Whip Law and affected the development of commerce. However, in the capital at present, I am afraid that nearly 30% of the officials are involved in high-interest lending."

Thirty percent is clearly Chen Ti's conservative estimate.

"Because of the accelerated circulation of silver, many people regard lending money as the most profitable business at present; and because private contracts are mostly independent of the Ming Code, many officials and nobles follow the crowd, thinking that the law does not punish the masses, and that this is an inevitable trend after the implementation of the Single Whip Law."

"Such chaos needs to be rectified, but Grand Secretary Shen's 'Policy on Punishing High-Interest Lending' is too harsh. If it is really dealt with in this way, it may affect the stability of the court. I suggest that we should give leeway and punish them lightly first. If they repeatedly fail to correct their ways, then punish them severely!"

Immediately, Chen Bian, a supervising secretary of the Ministry of Personnel, stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, I second that proposal. This chaos involves too many people. If we punish them severely, I fear that by the end of this year, the prisons will be full of merchants. How will they be able to do business after the New Year? Behind every big merchant are hundreds of families from the lower classes. Grand Secretary Shen's plan is too extreme!"

Swish!
At this moment, Xu Mao, a newly appointed official in the Ministry of Revenue, stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, I object! High-interest lending is money that undermines the foundation of the new policies, money that leads to the extinction of one's lineage. It must be severely punished, and those who have made extra money must hand it over. No private contract can disregard the Great Ming Code!"

Xu Mao's words made many officials who engaged in high-interest lending raise their heads.

If they don't refute this now, they might get a beating at the Meridian Gate.

"Your Majesty, I cannot agree with what Xu, the Imperial Censor, said. At present, commerce is booming. For some small merchants, a five percent or seven percent interest rate is not high at all, because they can make more money with the money they borrow. They will be grateful to their creditors. What should really be severely punished are those high-interest lenders who charge ten percent interest or who seize the land and houses of the people through fraud. They cannot punish all of them. Otherwise, some wealthy people will only be able to hide their money in the vault, turning their cash into dead money. This is the behavior that is most harmful to commerce and the Single Whip Law."

"Your Majesty, anyone who says that a 70% interest rate is not high must be a high-interest lender. High-interest lenders not only harm the common people and small businesses, but also cause even greater harm to the current development of commerce. If this continues, the most profitable business in the Ming Dynasty will be lending money. Then who among the merchants will still be willing to do business honestly?"

"Your Majesty, I agree with the policy of rectifying the chaos of high-interest lending, but I do not agree with Grand Secretary Shen's 'Policy on Punishing High-Interest Lending.' Grand Secretary Shen values ​​the interests of ordinary people too much and ignores the feelings of wealthy merchants. This policy has been promulgated and will surely win the hearts of the people, but it will also hurt the hearts of countless wealthy merchants. If they are punished and their businesses are ruined, it will be the ordinary people who suffer in the end."

……

At this moment, the area under the Huangji Gate resembled a bustling marketplace.

Some agreed, some disagreed, some ridiculed Shen Nian for seeking fame, and some supported Shen Nian's severe punishment.

They argued so much that it turned into a complete mess.

Many officials who felt guilty raised their heads and began to argue, speaking in a very loud voice, just to avoid being severely punished and dragged to the Meridian Gate for a beating.

Shen Nian stood at the front with a blank expression, but she was secretly overjoyed.

Everything was exactly as he had envisioned.

He knew his strategy was extreme, but if it wasn't extreme, how could the brilliance of the young Wanli Emperor be highlighted!
at the same time.

Shen Shixing and Wang Xijue, these two sworn enemies, also started arguing.

Shen Shixing opposed Shen Nianzhi's strategy, but Wang Xijue believed that Shen Nianzhi's strategy could address the root cause.

The two men stood side by side, spitting as they spoke, their voices not loud, but loud enough for Zhang Juzheng and Yin Zhengmao to hear.

At this time, the civil and military officials had differing opinions, and no one could convince anyone else, making Zhang Juzheng's decision all the more important.

Zhang Juzheng, Yin Zhengmao, and Shen Nian all stood upright, without saying a word.

……

About a quarter of an hour later.

"Enough! Enough!" the young Wanli Emperor shouted.

Immediately, the sounds below gradually subsided, and the officials all looked up ahead.

The young Wanli Emperor looked at Zhang Juzheng and asked, "Prime Minister, what is your opinion?"

Upon hearing this question, almost all the officials held their breath and looked at Zhang Juzheng.

At that time, the only official who could completely refute Shen Nianzhi's strategy was Zhang Juzheng, and when faced with the difference between Zhang Juzheng's and Shen Nianzhi's strategies, the young Wanli Emperor would mostly choose to listen to Zhang Juzheng.

Zhang Juzheng paused for a moment, then cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I tend to support the policy of punishing high-interest lending, but how to implement it is entirely up to Your Majesty!"

Upon hearing this, many officials who opposed Shen Nianzhi's policy were immediately disheartened.

When Zhang Juzheng and Shen Nian stand together, it's unlikely that the young Wanli Emperor would stand opposite them.

"Cough...cough..."

The young Wanli Emperor coughed twice, drawing the attention of all the officials to him, before slowly beginning to speak.

"I have been pondering this matter for the past few days. Initially, I was inclined to support Minister Shen's plan, but now I feel that we should not be too harsh on the officials who work for the court!"

Swish!Swish!Swish!
Upon hearing this, the officials widened their eyes, filled with anticipation for what was to come.

"I have decided to grant a grace period to all those who lend money at high interest rates. Until the end of February next year, they will not be punished or penalized. However, they must ensure that they rectify their high-interest contracts before the first day of March next year."

"As for what constitutes a high-interest contract, I have a new idea. If a debtor borrows money for weddings or funerals, or if the debt is secured by collateral, the monthly interest rate cannot exceed three percent. However, if it is for business operations or other matters, the monthly interest rate cannot exceed five percent. The reason for adding two percent is that the court is currently encouraging people to engage in commerce, which requires the circulation of money. This is a timely measure, and I believe that such a setting does not violate the 'Great Ming Code'!" "What do you all think?"

As soon as Xiao Wanli finished speaking, Shen Nian heard a deafening sound coming from the ranks behind him.

"Your Majesty, Holy Might!"

Immediately, a group of officials knelt on the ground and shouted: "Your Majesty is wise!"
They shouted three times, their voices growing louder and louder, as if afraid that young Wanli would regret it.

At that moment, the young Wanli Emperor subconsciously puffed out his chest. He felt the joy of ruling in his own right and the heartfelt support of the officials.

After the voices subsided, the young Wanli Emperor looked at the five Grand Secretaries who had not yet expressed their opinions.

"Your Majesty is wise; I second that opinion!" Zhang Juzheng said, bowing.

"Your Majesty is wise, we second your proposal!" Yin Zhengmao, Shen Shixing, and Wang Xijue bowed almost simultaneously. The reason they readily agreed was that they saw that the young Wanli Emperor had his own opinions, ideas, and strategies, and that he was able to go against Zhang Juzheng and Shen Nian's plans.

Shen Nian paused for a moment, then cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty is wise; I second that opinion."

Immediately, many officials under the Imperial Gate tensed up, biting their lips and gripping their official robes tightly, doing their best to maintain a serious demeanor.

If I weren't so tense, I would definitely burst out laughing, which would be a breach of etiquette.

Shen Nian was very satisfied with the young Wanli's performance.

The last thing Emperor Wanli said was that the monthly interest rate should not exceed five percent. This was not something Shen Nian taught him, but rather something Emperor Wanli came up with himself.

Today's events have given the young Wanli Emperor confidence and made his ministers look at him with new respect.

Shen Nian achieved all her goals.

At this moment, Zhang Juzheng stepped forward again.

"Your Majesty, I have another suggestion. Although there are new regulations on high-interest lending in the private sector, with the prosperity of commerce and the weakening of the court's control, there will inevitably be people who take the risk. I suggest that we conduct irregular inspections, starting from March next year. For every ten taels of extra interest paid in monthly interest, the lender shall be punished with twenty taels of silver, in order to punish and restrain this chaotic phenomenon!"

“It’s feasible!” the young Wanli Emperor said in a loud voice.

A moment later, the morning court session ended, and the inner linings of many officials' robes were soaked with sweat. They were glad that the young Wanli Emperor had not followed Shen Nian's plan, otherwise they would have been punished with a beating at noon.

Very few officials realize that—

Without Shen Nian's proposal of "Punishing High-Interest Lending," the policy put forward by the young Wanli Emperor would have been difficult to implement, and the officials would have been unable to learn from their mistakes, feeling as if they had just escaped death.

Zhang Juzheng looked at Shen Nian's back in front of him, a helpless smile on his face.

After this incident, the prestige of the young Wanli Emperor will undoubtedly increase significantly, but Shen Nian will also offend more and more officials.

"Ziheng is going to be a lone minister!" Zhang Juzheng murmured.

Shen Nian did not want to be a lone minister.

In the eyes of the young Wanli Emperor, if Shen Nianru was favored by the officials, he would definitely be wary of or even deal with her after assuming power.

Shen Nian made Xiao Wanli treat her as one of his own, and made Xiao Wanli believe that Shen Nian's only support was Xiao Wanli.

In this way, after the young Wanli Emperor assumed power, he was able to work well with Shen Nian.

Shen Nian was gambling that the young Wanli Emperor could become a wise ruler, and if that were the case, his position would be correct.

As for his posthumous reputation and how others viewed him, Shen Nian didn't care at all. Once he had fulfilled his political ambitions, he would leave the court.

……

The fifteenth day of the twelfth lunar month, at noon.

The imperial court officially issued an order to limit high-interest lending.

This move was met with widespread jubilation, especially the "5% monthly interest" setting, which allowed large merchants to make a profit and also enabled small vendors at the bottom to catch their breath.

at the same time.

Officials privately praised the young Wanli Emperor for having loyal ministers and being a wise and virtuous ruler. These praises were accurately relayed to the young Wanli Emperor through tabloids and the ears of the secret police.

Some busybodies spread Shen Nian's "Punishment of High-Interest Lending Strategy," causing a group of officials, nobles, and wealthy merchants to curse Shen Nian, accusing him of seeking fame and fortune by devising such an extreme strategy for the sake of praise from the common people.

Some of the insults reached Shen Nian's ears, but Shen Nian didn't care at all.

He was changing the Ming Dynasty in his own way.

He had achieved his goal, and as for the curses of those mediocre people, he regarded them as nothing more than the sounds of roosters crowing and dogs barking.

……

The end of the year is a time when older officials frequently request to retire.

On the 20th day of the twelfth lunar month, Hai Rui submitted his third memorial to the emperor in nearly three months.

He requested to retire due to old age and illness, asking the court to allow him to live out his retirement in the capital.

When Emperor Wanli learned that Hai Rui was prepared to become the teacher of Shen Nian's son, Shen Yanche, he immediately stopped insisting and granted Hai Rui's request.

Zhang Juzheng never liked Hai Rui, but he felt it was good to have Hai Rui by Shen Nian's side.

Whenever Hai Rui stayed by Shen Nian's side, some officials who wanted to attack Shen Nian dared not make a move.

Currently, Shen Nian has offended more people than Zhang Juzheng.

The reason why Shen Nian was not attacked was partly because he was protected by people like Xiao Wanli, Zhang Juzheng, and Yin Zhengmao, and partly because Shen Nian had impeccable personal morality and outstanding political achievements, making it impossible to find a point of attack.

At the same time, Fang Fengshi, the Minister of War who was inspecting Liaodong, also requested to retire.

After discussing it with Zhang Juzheng, the young Wanli Emperor did not immediately agree, replying: "Let's talk about it after the New Year."

The officials all guessed that after Fang Fengshi retired, the position of Minister of War would either be taken over by Liang Menglong, the Left Vice Minister of War, or concurrently held by Shen Nian.

……

The 24th day of the twelfth lunar month.

Just as officials in the capital were pondering how to spend their New Year's holiday and preparing for the New Year, the young Wanli Emperor issued an imperial edict listing Shen Nian's merits since joining the cabinet and bestowing upon him the title of Junior Guardian of the Heir Apparent.

The Junior Guardian of the Heir Apparent is a genuine second-rank official, with an annual salary equivalent to 366 taels of silver.

His official rank was only lower than Zhang Juzheng's Grand Tutor (first rank) and Yin Zhengmao's Grand Preceptor of the Crown Prince (second rank), and was on par with Shen Shixing's Junior Preceptor of the Crown Prince.

With this additional title, Shen Nian became the third most important official in the Ming Dynasty, after the Grand Secretary and the Second Grand Secretary. Even the non-Grand Secretaries and Ministers of the Six Ministries, who were also of the second rank, had to bow and greet him first.

Following court regulations, Shen Nian declined the title twice in a memorial to the throne, and was officially granted the title of Junior Guardian of the Heir Apparent.

All the officials had no objection to this additional title.

If there are any objections, the young Wanli Emperor would probably throw a whole stack of Shen Nian's political achievements documents in their faces.

(End of this chapter)