Ming Dynasty 1627

Chapter 158 New Policy Storm
Although this new reporting method was novel, the road construction had already been reported in the Ming Times.

The officials showed little interest in this matter, and were instead more interested in discussing adding red and green.

Very few people, like Hou Xun, could vaguely sense that something was wrong.

But when the new messenger stepped forward, all the officials' eyes were immediately drawn to him.

—Why is it an official from Shuntian Prefecture again?

A few soft whispers rose from the crowd, carrying a hint of barely perceptible irritation and apprehension.

Li Shiqi, a former principal of the Ministry of Revenue and now the vice prefect of Shuntian Prefecture, was an unknown figure in the capital's officialdom, but at this moment he became the focus of the entire event.

His face was flushed as he walked straight through the long line of civil officials without the slightest hesitation or fear, and knelt down beneath the steps.

"Your subject, Li Shiqi, Vice Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture, requests a report on the commercial tax matters of the Nine Gates!"

His voice was loud and clear, resounding with conviction.

On the throne, Zhu Youjian's gaze was calm as still water.

"Play it."

Instead of presenting the memorial to the officials of the Court of State Ceremonial as was customary, Li Shiqi chose to speak up himself.

He took a deep breath and said loudly:

"Since I was appointed to investigate the commercial taxes at the Nine Gates on September 10th, I have examined the account books, interviewed merchants, and had the Eastern Depot's Commander Wang Tiqian personally interrogate them. I have now obtained detailed information about the corruption involved!"

"Of the eighteen former ambassadors and deputy ambassadors of the Nine Gates, not one was not corrupt!"

"A total of 70,000 taels of silver was found to have been embezzled over the years! More than 30 subordinate officials were also found to have embezzled more than 20,000 taels of silver over the years! The total amount is more than 90,000 taels of silver!"

A commotion immediately arose in front of the main hall, with even more whispers breaking out.

Ninety thousand taels is indeed a lot.

After all, the annual commercial tax from the nine gates had never exceeded this amount.

But what most people care about is not the amount of money, but Li Shiqi himself!

—Less than a month after taking office, all forty-odd clerks were thrown into the Eastern Depot's prison, and two of them eventually died there.

As a result, a storm of impeachments flooded into the palace, but they were all kept inside and not issued.

This person is ruthless in his actions, and the new emperor's favoritism... is truly chilling!
Ignoring the astonishment of the crowd, Li Shiqi's voice trembled slightly with excitement, yet it rose even higher.

"Following the tax audit, from September 26th to 30th, in just five days, the tax revenue from the nine tax gates has already exceeded 2,200 taels!"

"Based on this calculation, the total tax revenue for the year could reach 150,000 taels! That's almost double the 80,000 or 90,000 taels of previous years!"

"Your Majesty, I hereby impeach Chen Binsheng, the former Director of the Shandong Department of the Ministry of Revenue and former Supervisor of Commercial Taxes at Chongwen Gate, for condoning corruption, falsifying accounts, and deceiving the Emperor!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire Huangji Gate Square fell silent.

Many people's eyes were subconsciously drawn to Guo Yunhou, the Minister of Revenue, who was standing at the front.

Guo Yunhou's old face turned bright red, his lips moved slightly, but he couldn't utter a single word.

He could feel the gazes coming from all directions, like red-hot steel needles, pricking him all over.

The Ministry of Revenue has utterly lost face today.

A moment later, a figure dressed in a blue official robe hurriedly stepped out from the back of the line; it was Chen Binsheng, the principal officer of the Ministry of Revenue.

His mind raced, filled with anger and indignation: 'Outrageous! Li Shiqi, do you truly disregard even the slightest bit of our former colleagueship? You are a loyal minister, but am I not also a loyal minister?!'

He felt extremely wronged, as he himself was also drafting a policy document and was only currently collecting data.

Unexpectedly, they suddenly became the first target of this new policy.

All sorts of thoughts flashed by in an instant.

Chen Binsheng arrived before the emperor, knelt down, and kowtowed heavily, saying, "Your subject is guilty!"

But he did not give in, and continued to speak:

"Your Majesty, please forgive me! I...I am indeed guilty! I have failed in my duty of oversight!"

"I am well aware of the problems at the Chongwenmen Customs! Since I took office, I have been thinking day and night about how to eliminate these long-standing problems and increase revenue for the country."

"I have also rectified the accounts and severely punished the clerks, and the tax revenue once rebounded."

"However... I never imagined that these deep-seated problems would have penetrated to the bone marrow and become so intricate!"

"Those clerks are outwardly compliant but inwardly defiant, deceiving their superiors and concealing the truth from their subordinates. Their cunning methods and malicious intentions far exceed my imagination!"

"I believed I acted in accordance with the laws of the court and treated them with the virtues of a gentleman, but I never expected it to be like playing the lute to a cow, nurturing a boil that has become a serious problem!"

At this point, he abruptly changed the subject, cupping his hands in a respectful gesture towards Li Shiqi, and said in a complex tone:

"My fault lies in my corrupt conduct as an official, my lack of leniency, and my insufficient ruthlessness! I failed to act like Magistrate Li, urging the Imperial Guard to conduct a thorough investigation and wipe out these corrupt officials in one fell swoop!"

"Your Majesty, I have failed in your grace and have no face to face you, let alone my colleagues in the Ministry of Revenue! I beg Your Majesty to punish me!"

He kowtowed again and remained kneeling.

This explanation, given on the spur of the moment, can be described as quick-witted.

Chen Binsheng cleverly transformed his charges from "corruption" and "deceiving the emperor" to "incompetence" and "mild methods."

What's even more impressive is that he vaguely pointed out the differences.

—I, Chen Binsheng, am a civil official who follows the rules, just like you. It is understandable that I cannot outmaneuver those cunning clerks.

— Li Shiqi is a cruel official who uses the secret police and doesn't follow the rules. Although money has been found, aren't you afraid of such a person?

If you're afraid, gentlemen, please save me!

After Chen Binsheng finished his explanation, Li Shiqi surprisingly said nothing more and simply knelt on the spot awaiting the emperor's decree.

Today's small attack was at the behest of Xue Guoguan.

Xue Guoguan's instructions most likely came from the new emperor.

What exactly does His Majesty intend to do?

The wind in the sky grew fiercer, making the flags flutter loudly.

No one spoke in the Huangji Gate Square.

Everyone held their breath, awaiting the emperor's verdict.

Zhu Youjian sat expressionless on his throne, but secretly he carefully observed everyone's expressions and movements.

I waited a little longer.

Still, no one stepped forward to speak up for the clearly innocent student, Xiao Chen.

This was the best-case scenario he had envisioned.

He was testing the waters this time, and he had many scenarios in mind.

First, the entire court was in an uproar, using this incident as a pretext to attack the secret police and, incidentally, implicate the new policies.

This is the worst-case scenario, but it's almost impossible, given that the eunuch faction's rule only recently ended.

He took over the imperial guards through Wang Tiqian and Tian Ergeng, and the losses were minimal.

Besides, this isn't a major debate about etiquette! Nor is it a matter of national importance!
It was just some low-level clerks who were dealt with!

Without the banner of morality to unite them, how can these civil officials be of one mind?
If this really happens, it would only prove that his policies of bestowing favors, uniting the people, establishing his regime, and gathering intelligence since his ascension to the throne have all been problematic.

Second, half of the people, or even a minority, stood up.

That's easy to solve. If Wei Zhongxian could do it, why couldn't Emperor Yongchang do it?

Even if Emperor Yongchang was too embarrassed to take action himself, why couldn't Wang Tiqian do it?

but……

If possible, it's best to avoid being so extreme.

The current situation is just right.

The comparison between the new and old policies established a precedent that was the first to be put to the test.

And such ironclad examples will only increase, becoming more and more fuel for the implementation of the new policy.

As for Xiao Chen...

Finally, Zhu Youjian spoke.

His voice remained steady, revealing no emotion.

"Li Shiqi was courageous in taking on responsibilities, investigated the long-standing malpractices of the Nine Gates, recovered huge sums of money for the national treasury, and clarified the tax system. His achievements were outstanding."

"The Directorate of Ceremonial and the Ministry of Personnel shall jointly record this and add a red line."

This is a reward.

The ministers were on tenterhooks; after the reward, punishment was inevitable.

Many people looked at Chen Binsheng with pity.

No matter how quick-witted you are, if the emperor wants you to be that chicken, how can you escape?

Zhu Youjian's gaze slowly shifted to Chen Binsheng, who was kneeling on the ground.

"As for Chen Binsheng's matter..." He paused, and this brief pause made Chen Binsheng's heart almost jump out of his chest.

"When I first ascended the throne, I held a 'Banquet of Severed Tassels' with my ministers in the palace. Minister Chen, were you present that day?"

Chen Binsheng was taken aback upon hearing this, but he understood in an instant. He then nodded frantically, his voice hoarse, "Yes... Your subject is present!"

"Hmm." Zhu Youjian nodded, his tone suddenly becoming calm.

"The matter of the Chongwenmen Customs was, after all, something that happened before I ascended the throne. I said I would let bygones be bygones, and I truly have."

He looked around, his gaze sweeping over the faces with their varied expressions.

"As the Analects says, 'What is past cannot be changed, but what is to come can be pursued.' Let bygones be bygones. What I want to see are the actions of you, my beloved ministers, from now on."

Upon hearing this, everyone in the room breathed a sigh of relief.

The expected thunderous wrath did not materialize; instead, it was replaced by a spring-like forgiveness.

Most officials felt slightly more at ease.

The new ruler is benevolent and forgiving!
The emperor is using Chen Binsheng's case to reaffirm his promise to everyone!

However... what's past is past, but what's to come is future.

How do we catch up on this?

The salary of the Ming dynasty was the lowest in history. How could one support a family without taking bribes?
Moreover, routine matters and embezzlement and bribery should not be discussed together, right?

Numerous unspoken and treacherous thoughts spread among the civil and military officials.

"This matter of Li Qing's impeachment is a one-time exception; do not bring it up again in the future," Zhu Youjian said finally. "Chen Qing, you may leave now."

Chen Binsheng felt as if he had been granted a pardon, and he retreated back into the queue as if he had been pulled out of the water.

He had made up his mind to stay up all night after he got back and finish the official document!

Between those who implemented the new policies and those who did not, the emperor's favoritism was plain as day!
Li Shiqi remained kneeling, took out another memorial from his sleeve, and held it high above his head.

"Your Majesty, I hereby request a further report on the second phase of the new policies in the capital, including the investigation of various residence taxes in the capital!"

The atmosphere that had just eased was instantly pulled back into tension by his action.

Zhu Youjian nodded expressionlessly.

"explain."

With a crisp crack of the whip, the eunuchs continued forward and tore off a piece of paper from a screen.

Minister of Revenue Guo Yunhou ignored Li Shiqi's second report, his entire attention drawn to the new content on the screen.

[Second Phase of Beijing's New Policies: Housing Tax Cleanup]

[Scope of the cleanup: government shop tax, collapsed house tax, market stall tax, land tax, brokerage tax, deed tax, wine and vinegar tax, slaughter tax, pawnshop profit sharing tax, etc...]

[Cleanup Schedule: Complete the sealing and inventory of old accounts by October 15th; complete personnel change cleanup by December 1st; complete all tax audits by January 1st of the first year of Yongchang.]

[Required Support: Due to the cunning and treacherous nature of the clerks, continued support from the Eastern Depot's supervisor is still needed.]

At the very bottom of the screen, there is a line of small, eye-catching text.

(Complete the "Memorial on the Rectification of Housing Tax in the Capital" before November 1st, and resubmit a detailed plan based on it.)
Guo Yunhou's expression was complicated.

Li Shiqi was a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) in the second year of the Tianqi reign. He first served as a messenger and later as a principal officer in the Ministry of Revenue.

During the first wave of official documents on state affairs, he was directly promoted by imperial decree to the position of Vice Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture based on his memorial "On the Commercial Tax of the Nine Gates," which was put into charge of this matter.

However, when he was in the Ministry of Revenue, didn't he also blend in with the crowd?
But now it's so decisive and unstoppable?
A sense of powerlessness welled up in Guo Yunhou's heart.

With the emperor's unwavering support and the Eastern Depot's ruthless methods, doing things is just too comfortable.

He had submitted several memorials arguing for jurisdiction over the nine commercial taxes, but all of them were ignored.

The memorials from court nobles and officials impeaching Li Shiqi for his cruel methods in persecuting officials piled up like mountains, but all of them were ignored and their requests were denied.

The son-in-law of the Imperial Clan Court was even stripped of his salary for half a year because of this.

The emperor's comments at the time were extremely harsh.

—Don't think I don't know what you're thinking. With the country in such a state, do you think I have time to care about your paltry sums?!

—If you submit another memorial, then go to Hainan and go see the sea with Cui Chengxiu!

Thinking of this, Guo Yunhou let out a long sigh.

Your Majesty, do you remember that you once promised to increase the number of personnel in the Ministry of Revenue?

The ledgers of the civil movement funds from various regions will soon be sent to the capital.

The Ministry of Revenue isn't unwilling to share His Majesty's burdens; it's just that it's severely understaffed...

There's also his painstakingly written "Ten Strategies for Financial Management," which His Majesty said last time that he didn't know much about the officials in the court, so it was put on hold for now.

But looking at His Majesty's recent series of actions, how could he possibly seem to "not know much"?

Will this "Ten Strategies for Financial Management" be shelved again?
Or perhaps... it also needs to be changed to the style of "official documents for practical matters" in order to catch His Majesty's eye?

Guo Yunhou's brows furrowed deeply, his mind a jumble of thoughts.

……

Li Shiqi's report was just the beginning.

Next, Zhang Zibing, the Vice Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture, stepped forward to report on the resettlement of starving people in the capital.

"...1,813 starving people have been settled in succession and all of them have been incorporated into the road construction project. They are paid according to their contributions and can exchange their points for silver. The government granaries have also been opened to sell grain at a fair price."

"Based on past data on the number of refugees in the capital, it is estimated that by next spring, the number of starving people in the capital may reach 5,000, and they can all be resettled according to this method."

"The expenses for food rations and heating for the starving people were covered by the road repair costs in the capital. Shuntian Prefecture only allocated 127 taels of silver to build two sheds each at Guang'an Gate and Chaoyang Gate. There were no other expenses."

Zhu Youjian added a red line as usual.

Zhang Zibing also reported on the matter of investigating the population of the capital during the second phase of the new policies.

"...to investigate and register the household registrations in the capital, and strictly enforce the baojia system."

"People from other places need to obtain a temporary residence permit to enter the city. It is canceled every three months and is verified when entering or leaving the city."

"Your Majesty, please dispatch the Five City Garrison and the Western Division of the Embroidered Uniform Guard to assist, and order the nobles and officials in the capital to proactively report the number of people in their households."

Zhu Youjian's voice was resolute: "All requests are granted!"

Subsequently, Wang Zhao, the magistrate of Shuntian, stepped forward to report on the matter of the investigation by the clerks in the capital.

"...In Shuntian Prefecture, Wanping, and Daxing, there were a total of 413 clerks and officials in the three classes and six departments. Currently, 32 of them have been investigated and dismissed, and more than 4,500 taels of silver have been recovered in embezzlement and fines."

"However, the corruption among clerks is too deep-rooted and complex. I earnestly request that a 'Selection Examination for Clerks of Shuntian Prefecture' be held, with the support of the Ministry of Personnel. Anyone in the capital with a clean background and some literacy should be eligible to take the exam!"

"Granted!" Zhu Youjian approved again. "Wang Zhao should be exonerated, and Yang Jingchen of the Ministry of Personnel should assist him! This matter can be published in the *Da Ming Shi Bao* to spread the word!"

One by one, the officials of Shuntian Prefecture stepped forward and presented their reports.

The atmosphere in front of the Huangji Gate has completely changed.

The commotion among the courtiers grew louder and louder, rising in waves like the tide.

The noble ministers standing at the front remained relatively calm, though they looked at each other with some trepidation.

But no one stepped forward, and no one objected.

Everyone watched as the officials of the Shuntian Prefecture system completed the first phase of the new policy summary and the second phase of the new policy plan, one by one.

The officials in the distance, without any supervision, became even more disorganized.

Many lower-ranking officials, without realizing it, even drifted away from the procession and gathered in front of the screens, whispering among themselves.

"So... what exactly is going on? It was supposed to be a question for the whole nation, but how did it all turn into new policies in the capital?"

"Perhaps... we should start with the capital? After all, the capital is the most important place."

"To resolve the conflict between people and land, governance must ultimately extend to the entire country. This matter in the capital is nothing more than a drop in the ocean."

An elderly official looked at the articles on the screen concerning the investigation of petty officials and shook his head, saying:

"Their actions are far too cruel. I have heard that many clerks have been tortured to death in the Eastern Depot's prison."

Upon hearing this, a younger official nearby snorted coldly.

"When laws are enforced, the country is well-governed; when laws are lax, the country is in chaos. Haven't you read what Wang Fu of the Han Dynasty said?"

He glanced at the elderly official and said in a deep voice, "The Holy Emperor's rectification of officialdom is based on laws and verifiable evidence. The laws are here, and they are enforced accordingly. How can it be considered cruel? Those who die are nothing but corrupt officials!"

That year, the old official was rebuked by his words, narrowed his eyes, and did not refute him.

"Today it's just a minor official..." someone murmured from the crowd, "Tomorrow... well, who knows..."

These words hit the nail on the head, immediately silencing the previously noisy crowd.

The officials looked at each other, their eyes revealing a deep-seated worry.

However, a few people's expressions revealed a hint of excitement.

The sky seemed to darken even further.

The dark clouds loomed heavy, as if pressing down on everyone's hearts.

(End of this chapter)