Zhu Yijun had long thought of giving the cabinet the power to choose people, but in the end, he was still the one in charge, so this did not affect the overall situation.
In any case, this time, Zhu Yijun was prepared to be willful and see the reactions of the officials.
After the four cabinet scholars left, Zhu Yijun glanced at Zhang Jing and said, "I asked you to make a list of people to be released. Have you made it?"
The expenses of the palace had been reduced once during the second year of Wanli. That was not only a reduction of money, but also a reduction of many people.
From palace maids to eunuchs, Zhu Yijun was prepared to do it again. This time, he would only release people, not reduce money.
"Old Slave has already drawn up a list!" Zhang Jing quickly said.
This time, the main scope was the palace maids and eunuchs who had made mistakes, as well as the eunuchs and palace maids who were suspected of passing information to the outside world.
At the same time, there were those who were single, those who had castrated themselves to enter the palace, and those whose origins were unknown.
Those who had family outside were given priority to be retained and promoted. Those who were alone were not given any treatment.
"If the palace maids are willing to return home to marry, pay the travel expenses. If they don't want to leave, they can retire at the Imperial Plantation."
Zhu Yijun looked at Zhang Jing and said, "It is the same for eunuchs. If they have family members who want to return home, pay the travel expenses. If they don't want to leave, or have nowhere to go, go to the Imperial Plantation."
The Imperial Plantation was short of people, so Zhu Yijun arranged for them to go to the Imperial Plantation. He was not afraid that they would not be able to eat.
"Keep an eye on this matter for me. You are not allowed to embezzle money, and you are not allowed to retaliate. If someone reports to me, you know what the consequences will be." Zhu Yijun's words contained a hint of threat.
Zhang Jing quickly said, "Old Slave understands. I will not live up to the trust of the Imperial Majesty."
Right now, the several eunuchs of the Department of Rites were each in charge of their own tasks. It could be said that they were busy with their own matters. Below them, Chen Ju and Xu De were eyeing him covetously, so Zhang Jing did not dare to be righteous.
In fact, after following Zhu Yijun for several years, Zhang Jing had more or less figured out the temperament of the Imperial Majesty.
He didn't care about small matters. Being greedy for money wasn't a big deal. However, since the Imperial Majesty had given him a serious order, he couldn't afford to make any mistakes.
In the past few years, it was in this aspect that Zhang Jing had particularly satisfied Zhu Yijun. That was how he had secured his position in Dongchang and became the number one eunuch in the Department of Rites. Basically, everyone knew that once Zhang Hong retired, Zhang Jing would definitely take over this position.
Hearing Zhang Jing's words, Zhu Yijun nodded. "Do your best!"
It was snowing that night. Zhu Yijun prepared to go to the Empress Dowager's place for dinner. As for the matter of returning the palace maids and eunuchs, Zhu Yijun still had to discuss it with Queen Dowager Li. After all, this was a matter of the palace.
In fact, the palace didn't need too many people. After all, Zhu Yijun didn't have an empress or a concubine, so he didn't need so many people to serve him.
If he didn't take advantage of this opportunity to release some, it would be difficult to do it after the empress entered the palace.
When the time came, there might not be enough manpower and he would have to recruit more people. If he released them now, he could set the rules for future recruitment.
When Zhu Yijun arrived at the Palace of Compassionate and Peaceful, he found his three younger sisters there.
All three of Zhu Yijun's sisters were from Queen Dowager Li. It could be seen how much Queen Dowager Li was doted on.
Including her two sons, Empress Li bore his father five children. If his father hadn't died early, there would probably be two more.
After all, when his father died, Queen Dowager Li was only 28 years old. In the future, she would still be unmarried.
"Mother!"
Seeing Queen Dowager Li teaching her daughters with a gentle gaze, Zhu Yijun smiled and walked forward to greet her. Without Feng Bao causing trouble, the palace was a lot more stable. The princesses' lives were also very good.
In his previous life, Feng Bao even bullied the Wanli Emperor, let alone the princesses.
He dared to find a tuberculosis ghost for Princess Yong Ning. It could be seen how bold Feng Bao was. The current Zhang Hong was different. He was steady, upright, and dutiful.
The princesses' lives were naturally better, and they were all in good spirits.
"Rise!" Queen Dowager Li smiled and waved her hand. "How come my son has the time to come over today?
Have you settled the state affairs? "
Zhu Yijun nodded. "Everything has been settled. I've just gathered the four cabinet scholars for a discussion. I'm still young, and Mister Zhang isn't here. I have a lot of things to ask them."
After living with Queen Dowager Li for a few years, Zhu Yijun naturally knew what kind of emperor Queen Dowager Li wanted him to be.
To put it bluntly, he was the kind of wise ruler that the Confucian school needed.
Queen Dowager Li wasn't very cultured. She was influenced from a young age. In her heart, this kind of emperor was a good emperor.
Her husband died early, so as a mother, she had to bear the responsibility of teaching her son. She hoped that he could become a wise ruler and become what she wanted.
In fact, whether it was the royal family or the common people, parents all hoped that their children could become what they wanted.
However, things often didn't go as one wished. Since Zhu Yijun knew Queen Dowager Li's thoughts, he naturally knew how to show it.
Showing what they wanted in front of their parents and making them happy was also a kind of filial piety.
In the later generations, when young people worked outside, most of them only reported the good news and not the bad news. During the New Year, they would go home and dress up beautifully. They also wanted their parents to think that they were doing well and didn't want them to worry.
As expected, after hearing Zhu Yijun's words, Queen Dowager Li nodded with satisfaction. She said with a smile, "My son has done well."
"Mother, I've asked people to prepare hot pot today. Since my sisters are here, my brother should be back soon. Let's have a family gathering." Zhu Yijun looked at his three sisters with a smile.
"Okay!" Queen Dowager Li nodded. She was very satisfied with Zhu Yijun's preference for his siblings.
After chatting for a while, Zhu Yijun gradually changed the topic to proper business. He opened his mouth and said: "Muhou, er chen wants to release some palace maids and eunuchs. Firstly, it can save some expenses. Secondly, some of the palace maids and eunuchs are getting on in years. It is not suitable for them to continue serving."
"After leaving the palace, find someone to marry and have children. When they are really old, they can't marry well even if they leave the palace."
Queen Dowager Li didn't expect Zhu Yijun to bring up this idea. After pondering for a moment, she nodded. "This is a good thing. Do it!"
Soon, Zhu Yijun came back. The family ate hot pot together. Zhu Yijun also drank some wine. When the lantern was lit, Zhu Yijun came back from Cining Palace.
After coming back and washing up, Zhu Yijun went to sleep.
That night, the news that the emperor was going to appoint an admiral spread out. The capital that had just calmed down was once again stirred up.
The next morning, when Zhu Yijun woke up, he felt good. He breathed in the cold air and instantly shivered. Then, he became much more awake.
Before Zhu Yijun had breakfast, Zhang Jing ran in.