I, Emperor Chongzhen, have extended the life of the Ming Dynasty by five hundred years.

If the imperial court can't collect taxes and provisions, how can it fight a war?

The entire court had only one thought: It's over, His Majesty has gone mad!

Wei Zaode could no longer contain himself and immediately said, "Your Majesty, I implore you to reconsider!"

Minister of Revenue Ni Yuanlu then said, "Your Majesty's compassion for the people is truly the act of a benevolent ruler. However, the country is currently facing a turbulent time, with refugees rising up all over the country and powerful enemies surrounding us from the outside. Without sufficient funds and provisions, how can we support our army and ensure the stability of the nation?"

Emperor Chongzhen stared intently at Ni Yuanlu, his gaze sharp, and said, "As the Minister of Revenue, you are in charge of the nation's finances. It is your duty to collect taxes and levies. In the 270 years since the founding of our dynasty, we have never increased taxes. Why is it that under my jurisdiction, there has been an endless stream of additional levies?"

Ni Yuanlu's forehead was covered in fine beads of sweat as he lowered his head and said, "Your Majesty, it is not that I am unwilling to share the burden of the country, but the national treasury is overburdened with enormous expenditures, coupled with years of war and frequent famines. Although I am willing, I am powerless to reverse the situation. If we force ourselves to continue, I am afraid that in the end, it will only bring suffering to the people."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Chongzhen flew into a rage, slammed his fist on the table, and his voice echoed throughout the hall: "Do you know why Li Zicheng has gathered a million men under his command? They are all my subjects, the very foundation of my empire!"

"The reason they rose up in rebellion is because people like you only know how to sit back and enjoy the fruits of others' labor, occupying positions without doing anything, and in the end, all you can say is that the people have suffered, and then you shirk all your responsibilities."

"Open your eyes wide and see! The people of the land are rebelling against me! As important ministers of the state, don't you feel any shame?"

Upon hearing this, the hall fell silent. The ministers all lowered their heads and remained silent, their hearts filled with mixed emotions.

Ni Yuanlu's face turned pale. In the Ming Dynasty, there was a tradition that officials could scold the emperor, especially civil officials, who often took pride in speaking frankly. However, today he was being scolded by the emperor to his face, and his underwear was completely exposed.

"Your Majesty, I... I feel I have no face to face Your Majesty, let alone the people of the world. I beg to retire..."

The main hall was eerily quiet; you could hear a pin drop.

Ni Yuanlu was a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) in the second year of the Tianqi reign. He entered the court as a Shujishi (a junior official in the Hanlin Academy) and is now the Minister of Revenue, concurrently serving as the Minister of Personnel. He is the head of the two major ministries and is the most powerful person in the Ming Dynasty besides the Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet.

Wei Zaode quickly advised, "Your Majesty, Minister Ni is a highly respected minister of the state, having served for over twenty years. His loyalty is evident to all. Matters concerning taxation should be carefully considered and not decided hastily!"

"I second that proposal!"

"I second that proposal!"

The officials all agreed and knelt down in unison.

Zhu Youjian looked coldly at Ni Yuanlu, secretly making plans in his heart.

According to the historical trajectory of his previous life, when Beijing fell, this man committed suicide to die for his country, which could be considered a sign of loyalty.

However, he was too bureaucratic. As the Minister of Revenue, he failed to collect taxes, was obsequious to the gentry, and ruthless towards the common people.

Such a person is usable, but he needs to be properly disciplined, otherwise the Ming Dynasty will still have no future.

"The imperial court has paid you a salary for so many years, and in the end, you think you can be absolved of your mistakes by simply saying you're begging to retire?"

Ni Yuanlu's face grew even more grim, and he could only say, "Your Majesty, I am old and cannot share your burdens..."

"Chen Yan has already gone to lead troops. How much older are you than him?"

"This, this..."

"I say these words in the hope that you, my lord, can see the situation clearly and find the root of the problem. The people are already suffering enough, yet they are still being subjected to endless additional taxes. Aren't we pushing them to their deaths? If everyone could live in peace and prosperity, who would be willing to risk their lives to rebel?"

Ni Yuanlu sighed heavily: "Your Majesty, I know I was wrong. I have failed in your grace!"

Zhu Youjian's tone softened slightly as he said, "These two edicts will be promulgated throughout the land from this day forward. You need not say more. The national treasury has just been replenished with a large amount of money and grain, which is temporarily sufficient to pay the army's salaries. I hope that you will seriously consider why the court is unable to collect taxes and how to change the situation. Please provide me with a practical and feasible plan!"

Ni Yuanlu kowtowed: "Your subject obeys the decree!"

Zhu Youjian looked at Fang Yuegong, the Left Vice Minister of War, and said, "Minister Fang, temporarily assume the position of Minister of War and immediately handle three matters!"

"Firstly, I have allocated one million taels of silver from the national treasury for the payment of border troops. How to distribute this money needs to be prioritized. I will give you one day to come up with a plan."

"Secondly, immediately summon troops from all directions to the capital to defend the emperor and resist the rebels. However, I will not promise them titles. According to the ancestral precepts of the Ming Dynasty, no title shall be conferred without military merit. If you want a title, you can exchange it for military achievements!"

"Thirdly, Zhu Chunchen and Zhang Jinyan's rebellion has further weakened the already insufficient Beijing garrison. I will allocate another 300,000 taels of silver to recruit new troops. The Ministry of War will take the lead in this matter, with the assistance of the Five Military Commissions!"

Fang Yuegong and Zhang Shize replied simultaneously, "Your Majesty, we obey!"

The court assembly concluded, and the capital was once again in an uproar.

Wang Dehua, the director of the Eastern Depot, personally led a team to bring back all the officials who had submitted their resignations for investigation.

This matter caused a great uproar in the city, and the officials naturally refused to comply, but were helpless.

As evening approached, another official was bound and dragged to Wang Dehua.

"I wish to see His Majesty. By what right have you, my lackeys, arrested me?"

Wang Dehua looked somewhat tired. He glanced at the list and said, "Liang Wangzu, a censor in the Ministry of Revenue, is from Qufu, Shandong. He entered the court in the 43rd year of the Wanli reign and has served as an official for nearly 30 years, only managing to reach the seventh rank. Tsk tsk..."

Liang Wangzu's face flushed red, and he angrily said, "I have lived a life of integrity, never engaging in any dishonest conduct. I regard money as dirt and fame as fleeting clouds. How could you possibly understand!"

"That sounds very eloquent!"

Wang Dehua, with a mocking smile, took out another booklet and began to look through it.

"In the first year of the Tianqi reign, a commoner named Zhang Wuliu accused you of forcibly taking a woman from the people, but you bribed the then Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture to suppress the matter. In the fifth year of the Tianqi reign, you seized the land of the commoner Wang Daniu, driving two people to their deaths. In the second year of the Chongzhen reign..."

"Forget it, I'm too lazy to read it to you. Just read it yourself!"

As he spoke, Wang Dehua tossed the booklet over, and it fell to the ground with a thud.

Liang Wangzu picked it up shakily, glanced at it, and his face turned deathly pale. He shouted, "You're framing me! I didn't do it!"

Wang Dehua maintained his forced smile and said, "It doesn't matter if you don't admit it. See that torture chamber over there? So far, no one has been able to last even half an hour. Let's see if your old bones are tough enough!"

"I am an official appointed by the imperial court; you are not allowed to abuse your power!"

"The Eastern Depot oversees all officials; it's specifically investigating you, the high-ranking officials of the imperial court!"

"You, you... I want to see His Majesty..."

"You're not qualified!"

After Wang Dehua finished speaking, he waved to the guards behind him.

"Take him away and treat him well!"

"yes!"

Two guards stepped forward, dragged Liang Wangzu, and headed towards the torture chamber.

"Let go of me..."

"This is outrageous! Absolutely outrageous!"

"As a censor, I have the power to impeach any official, and I will certainly impeach your Eastern Depot!"

Liang Wangzu shouted and yelled, but to no avail, and he was sweating profusely with anxiety.

As they approached the torture chamber, they heard screams coming from inside, which made them even more apprehensive.

Wang Dehua felt somewhat exhausted; arresting dozens of officials in a single day had been quite physically demanding.

Based on the current interrogation results, almost all of those who submitted their resignations yesterday have issues.

Since His Majesty ascended the throne, the Eastern Depot has not been this busy in a long time. After a busy day, I feel quite fulfilled.

He picked up his teacup, blew away the foam, and saw the two imperial guards who had just left return.

Liang Wangzu's eyes were closed and his arms were hanging limply; he appeared to have fainted.

Wang Dehua asked in surprise, "So fast?"

The imperial guard replied, "Reporting to the Director, this man confessed before even entering the torture chamber."

Wang Dehua looked at Liang Wangzu and asked, "If no torture was used, how did he faint?"

"I was so scared that I peed my pants just now."