Do You Know?: I, the Little Cabinet Elder, Regent of the World

Wu Zhong kowtowed to the ground, his eyes slightly red: "The chaos of the late Tang Dynasty was all caused by the eunuchs' monopolization of power. Your Majesty must learn from this!"

Upon hearing this, whispers arose in the hall, and many officials looked toward Jiang Zhao.

Imperial estates were very rare.

Generally speaking, it was military officers who received the rewards, and it might take more than ten years for an imperial estate to be given away.

Recently, Jiang Zhao was the only one to receive a royal reward.

Zhao Zhen's face darkened: "Tell me, who is so audacious?"

"Your Majesty, I request that you explain the details," Wu Zhongfu said solemnly as he turned around.

Jiang Zhao stepped forward slowly: "Your Majesty bestowed upon me the imperial estate out of consideration for your subjects, but I never expected it to become a pretext for petty villains to commit evil deeds."

Jiang Zhao sighed: "Imperial estates are all fertile land with low taxes. Renting them to tenants is a benevolent act by the emperor."

However, the stewards of the imperial estates, relying on the backing of the inner court, arbitrarily increased rents and taxes, forcing tenants to sell their wives and children. They even dared to threaten me, saying: "The imperial estates involve the majesty of Heaven; they cannot be touched lightly."

"A single imperial estate was found to have inflated its debts to tens of thousands of taels. Not only were taxes and rents secretly increased, but falsified accounting books were also created. The emperor's benevolent land had become the private pocket of eunuchs!"

After saying this, Jiang Zhao let out a long sigh.

"Countless imperial estates across the land are in the same predicament. Your Majesty, I implore you to thoroughly investigate all imperial estates, dismiss the old stewards, and appoint new officials to manage them."

Jiang Zhao bowed again, saying, "The affairs of the imperial estates should be included in the performance evaluation; the excellent should be promoted, and the inferior should be dismissed!"

A royal estate, when rented to tenants, was almost always distributed as a form of "taxation," rather than a fixed rent.

In other words, the better the imperial estate was managed, the more money would enter the imperial treasury.

Zhao Zhen's expression changed slightly.

After hearing just a few words from Jiang Zhao, he understood the situation.

His rent might not even be 10%, but those in charge dare to embezzle 20% or 30%.

The person in charge colluded with the eunuch to falsify accounts, pocketing the ill-gotten gains and taking the lion's share.

He, the emperor, only takes a small share.

When imperial estates were bestowed upon officials, they were ostensibly a reward, but in reality, they became a burden.

"Your subject Han Zhang seconds this proposal." Han Zhang's simple words provided tremendous support.

"Your subject, Wen Yanbo, seconds this proposal," said Wen Yanbo, Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, stroking his long beard.

"Your subject, Pang Ji, seconds this proposal."

"Your subject, Wang Yaochen, seconds this proposal."

"Your subject, Ouyang Xiu, seconds this proposal."

"Your subject Zeng Gongliang seconds this proposal."

……

When it comes to suppressing eunuchs, civil officials have always been very effective.

From Jiang Zhao's words, one could easily discern what had happened.

The person in charge is threatening a high-ranking official of the third rank!

This is just the person in charge; behind the person in charge are eunuchs!

So crazy!

This definitely needs to be treated.

In any case, since it concerns the imperial estates, it doesn't have any significant impact on the interests of civil officials.

Seeing this, Zhao Zhen already had a plan in mind.

The civil service was inherently at odds with the eunuchs, and this matter involved the dignity of the imperial power, so there was absolutely no reason to tolerate it.

Zhao Zhen pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "Granted."

"I wonder which eunuch is backing you at the imperial estate where you reside?" Zhao Zhen asked.

Everything has to start somewhere; make an example of someone to warn others.

"It is said that he is Eunuch Li, the head of the Directorate of Palace Attendants."

Zhao Zhen nodded slowly.

He will verify and handle this matter.

With the matter of the imperial estate resolved, Jiang Zhao slowly retreated.

It's that easy!

Is there anything in the world that he finds difficult?

Have!

But there are almost no things that even his teacher, Han Zhang, finds difficult.

The so-called affairs of the imperial estates are constantly being managed by different people, mainly because no one has been found capable of dealing with them.

In the past, military officers were terrified of being impeached by civil officials for bad debts when they encountered such situations.

Bad debts, if not discovered in time, can easily escalate into embezzlement.

Therefore, military generals either ruthlessly drove away the tenants or silently suffered the loss.

This resulted in court officials rarely paying attention to the imperial estates.

Ultimately, royal private property has little presence compared to the affairs of the court.

Now, as soon as someone mentioned it, it was naturally stopped.

……

Within a few days, news of the handling of the matter spread from within the palace.

He was demoted and exiled to Danzhou.

At the same time, the imperial court established a new ninth-rank official position and continuously and unconditionally cancelled the IOUs for imperial estates.

Many eunuchs secretly complained.

Why did you have to provoke the young Grand Secretary for no reason?

Chapter 101 Housewarming Banquet!

The sun is rising.

New Fuzhong Gate.

"Slightly to the left."

Jiang Zhao, dressed in a silk robe, directed several scholars to hang the new plaque.

Jiang Mansion!

The two large vermilion characters on the new plaque are ancient, vigorous, and solemn.

"Is that so?" Su Shi asked, holding up the newly hung plaque, his view somewhat limited.

The plaque is located in the center of the courtyard.

"Yes, yes, yes." Jiang Zhao nodded quickly.

The hanging of the new plaque carries a certain significance.

Several friends came to help out.

Su Shi and Su Zhe climbed the ladder to hang the plaque, while Zhang Heng and Zhang Dun held the ladder to prevent it from slipping. Zeng Bu and Zeng Gong passed wooden mallets, iron chains, and other items as needed.

Jiang Zhao was in charge of command.

"clatter!"

"clatter!"

Su Shi and Su Zhe held wooden mallets, striking the wooden tenons and tightening the iron chains.

In no time, the new plaque was securely hung.

After hanging the new plaque, Su Shi suddenly jumped and landed nimbly.

"Thanks for your hard work!"

Jiang Zhao smiled gently and served several cups of tea at the right time.

The group took tea one after another and looked up at the plaque that had been hung up.

This kind of activity, which is not difficult but has a certain significance, is quite in line with the "refined" requirements of literati.

Especially at sunrise, when the weather is neither too hot nor too cold, gathering with a few close friends for some light exercise is truly delightful.

"Zichuan's calligraphy is indeed reminiscent of a master's work!" Su Shi took a sip of tea, glanced at the calligraphy on the plaque, and couldn't help but praise it.

"Haha." Jiang Zhao smiled gently and waved his hand: "It's nothing more than relying on a sense of pride to force myself to write. If we're really talking about the style of a master, we still have to look to Su Shi and Zhang Zihou."

Jiang Zhao wasn't just being modest when he said that.

This is the truth!

From a calligraphic perspective, his calligraphy reflects the magnanimity and spirit of a person in a high position.

The calligraphy skills alone are not particularly high; it is more the demeanor of the person in a high position that elevates the quality of the calligraphy.

In terms of pure calligraphy skills, he is actually inferior to Su Shi and Zhang Dun.

Su Shi and Zhang Dun exchanged a glance but did not refute it.

The seven sons of Jiayou all possess unique skills.

They are all friends who have known each other for many years, and since it involves their professional expertise, there is no need to be deliberately humble.

"Let's go inside and take a look around."

Jiang Zhao clapped his hands: "It won't be very convenient when the ladies come to visit later."

In this era, women rarely show their faces in public.

Generally speaking, women only have the opportunity to gather together at large-scale events or banquets hosted by high-ranking officials.

For this reason, all the wives and noblewomen of officials cherished the opportunity to gather and have fun.

Within half an hour at most, the wives and noblewomen of officials would gradually arrive at the door.

Around noon, officials had almost an hour to take a nap.

This period is when civil officials visit as guests.

We specifically set aside our lunch break for this gathering; there was no other way.

Compared to the idle military officers and nobles, civil officials were indeed much busier.

Bianjing was the center of all government affairs, and civil officials had to handle government matters at all times except on holidays.

In comparison, military generals and nobles could hold ten large gatherings, while civil officials might not even have time to hold one.

The group nodded in agreement.

Just then, a shout came.

"Zichuan."

The group turned around and looked back at each other.

Gu Tingye waved to greet him with one hand and carried a brocade box in the other as he walked slowly over.

"Zhonghuai!"

Jiang Zhao waved in response.

In less than ten breaths, Gu Tingye had already approached.

"On the occasion of your housewarming, I humbly present this small gift to express my congratulations."

With that, Gu Tingye laughed heartily and presented the brocade box.

"In that case, it would be impolite to refuse."