After inspecting the Ordnance Department for a while, Zhu Yijun left the Ordnance Department in satisfaction. Other than one thing that made Zhu Yijun unhappy, and that was burning money, he was very satisfied with everything else. Burning money was something that could not be avoided.
Back in the palace, Zhu Yijun glanced at Zhang Jing and said, "Go to Kunning Palace."
During this time, Zhu Yijun spent more time with the concubines. Most of the time, he went to see the children. However, he stayed with Empress Wang more often, so that Empress Wang would not be disappointed.
Zhu Yijun was very satisfied with the situation of his harem, so he wanted to maintain this harmony.
Nanjing.
Jinling had been a good place since ancient times. After Daming established the country, Nanjing was also the capital. Although the capital was later moved to Beijing, it still had a very important position here.
Because there was no heaviness of the capital, it was more relaxed and prosperous here.
Wang Yongji was also a person who had been an official in Nanjing, so he was no stranger to this place.
At that time, Wang Yongji was just a minister. When he came to Nanjing, he became a doctor, and later was promoted to an assistant minister. Then he was transferred to the Tax Department as an assistant minister. It seemed like it happened yesterday.
Later, Wang Yongji also knew that he was promoted quickly because the emperor thought highly of him.
Since he came to the Tax Department, Wang Yongji had been conscientious and did not dare to make the slightest mistake. This was also to repay the emperor's kindness.
"What did Lord Wang think of?"
Xu De came behind Wang Yongji with a smile and said, "In Nanjing, Lord Wang can be regarded as half a landlord. Why don't you show me around?"
Wang Yongji looked back at Xu De and said with no expression, "I am not feeling well. If Eunuch Xu wants to go, please go ahead."
Xu De did not care about Wang Yongji's attitude. This was not the first time along the way.
In fact, people could only know if they got along with each other after getting along. This was the case for Xu De and Wang Yongji.
Although in Shandong, Wang Yongji felt that Xu De was courageous and capable, when they got along, Wang Yongji found that he really did not get along with Eunuch Xu.
For example, he did not understand why a eunuch wanted to go to the Qinhuai River all day long to enjoy the scenery.
For example, he did not understand why a eunuch wanted to go to the Qinhuai River all day long.
In fact, after the two of them arrived in Nanjing, they found that the officials and gentry here were collecting grain very smoothly. All the fields on the Fish Scale List could be collected, and there was no place where the gentry did not pay taxes.
"Lord Wang, you are too nervous!" Xu De said with a smile, "There are many problems in Jiangnan."
Everyone ran over to pay their taxes. Even if there were people hiding land, there weren't many. The local tax department was able to deal with it very quickly.
Xu De and Wang Yongji did not need to pay taxes at all. Jiangsu and Zhejiang had already sent people to report that the government and the gentry had finished paying taxes. They were checking the local officials' silver.
Seeing Wang Yongji frowning and looking worried, Xu De said with a smile, "Lord Wang, do you think there is a conspiracy?"
"What is Eunuch Xu's opinion?" Wang Yongji turned to look at Xu De and asked.
"It is not a good opinion, but I know something!"
Xu De made an inviting gesture to Wang Yongji and then sat down. "In fact, there are several reasons for this."
"The first reason is that the blood in Yangzhou has not dried yet," Xu De said with a smile. "This is all thanks to our Eunuch Chang."
Wang Yongji, of course, knew what this meant. He also knew that the Eunuch Chang that Xu De was talking about was Zhang Jing. After arriving in Nanjing, Wang Yongji also felt the power of Eunuch Chang.
It was not much different from stopping children from crying at night. Although his reputation was not good, the deterrence was real.
"The second reason is that the people in Jiangnan are busy with another matter, the matter of the northwest trade route."
"Now there are rumors that the Silk Road will be restored. Does Lord Wang know how much money that is?
A few days ago, the Ministry of Internal Affairs purchased one million taels of goods here, and now the fleet has returned. "
"One million taels, how long has it been!" Xu De said with a sigh. "I heard that a large number of craftsmen will be recruited this time."
"I heard that the price of a good carpenter in Nanjing City is 200 taels a year. Lord Wang, how much is your annual salary?" Wang Rongzhi asked.
Wang Yongji was now an assistant minister, receiving a third-rank salary of thirty-five stones of grain, and that was it.
Including some other income, if he did not embezzle, 100 taels a year was a big deal. 200 taels was definitely a lot of money for a carpenter.
"Isn't this too high?" Wang Yongji said with a dumbfounded expression.
"This is not high at all!"
Xu De said with a smile. "If the northwest wants to build a textile factory, they will need a large number of looms, which means a large number of carpenters. Now, everyone is fighting for carpenters."
Wang Yongji was silent.
"For the gentry of Jiangnan, this is nothing at all. How much tax can there be on land?"
"Of course, there is one more thing. All the ministers in the court have written letters. Wang Guoguang, the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, Zhang Xueyan, the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, several Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet, and even the Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, Minister Shen, have all written letters."
"They have strictly requested that the family should take the lead in receiving the grain."
Wang Yongji was speechless. This was asking for his life. Most of these people were from Jiangnan. They wrote back to express their attitude. They were asking for their families, but they were also asking for the local officials.
Wang Guoguang, the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, had been the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel for more than ten years.
One sentence from him was definitely more effective than a month of work.
"In addition, Lord Wang has shown his power in Shandong, so it is normal that no one in Jiangnan dares to act rashly!"
Xu De said with a smile, "So, Lord Wang, don't worry and accompany me to the Qinhuai River. I have been looking forward to the Qinhuai Romance for a long time."
Wang Yongji glanced at Xu De and said, "Did Eunuch Xu already know this?"
Looking at Wang Yongji's expression, Xu De was a little embarrassed. He had been watching Wang Yongji make a fool of himself and was a little carried away.
Of course, this kind of thing could not be admitted. Xu De directly shook his head and said, "Of course not. How could it be? I just got the news."
Wang Yongji was not stupid. Of course, he would not believe Xu De's words. He nodded and then calmly turned around and left. "Eunuch Xu should go by himself!
It's not appropriate for an official to have a wife who has gone through hardships. Besides, officials of the imperial court are strictly prohibited from visiting brothels. "
Looking at Wang Yongji's back, Xu De could only smile bitterly. These civil officials really cursed people without using dirty words.
"Having a wife who has gone through hardships" was obviously saying that he was a eunuch. It was extremely vicious to mention his wife in front of a eunuch. He also ridiculed a eunuch for going to a brothel. Later, he also said that he had visited the Qinhuai River when he was on business. This set of combined punches made him feel very aggrieved.
There was no way to refute it. They were talking about him, so he could only accept the loss.
However, thinking of Wang Yongji's appearance a few days ago, Xu De smiled again. It was not a loss.
Thinking of Wang Yongji's appearance along the way, Xu De smiled even more happily. It was all the pleasure of revenge. In order to celebrate this grand event, they would go to the Qinhuai River!
Forbidden City, Wenhua Hall.
Zhu Yijun then placed a memorial to the side. Recently, the trend of memorials was not quite right. Many people had started to write memorials about the coming of a golden age, or the Lord of Resurgence. This made Zhu Yijun quite vigilant.
This kind of thing couldn't be said. People submitted memorials to flatter you. You can't reprimand them!
Glancing at Zhang Jing, Zhu Yijun put down the memorial in his hand and said, "There's no need to submit this kind of memorial in the future. It's enough to listen to you flatter me every day."
Zhang Jing quickly said with a smile, "Your Majesty's wisdom is recognized by the imperial court and the public. It's not just said by Old Slave alone."
After scolding him with a smile, Zhu Yijun reached out and picked up another memorial. After glancing at it, Zhu Yijun's face became serious.
This memorial was from the Ministry of Internal Affairs. It was handed over from Nanjing by Xu De.
The content of the memorial was similar to what Xu De had said to Wang Yongji. It described the situation in Jiangnan in detail.
Zhu Yijun didn't expect that the government and the gentry could find a breakthrough from here. The gentry who were doing business had begun to run their businesses. No one wanted to cause trouble for taxes at this time. After all, everyone was relying on the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Everyone knew what kind of government the Ministry of Internal Affairs was. It was unwise to anger the emperor at this time.
At the same time, Zhu Yijun also saw another point. It was the deterrent power of the officials in the court. A letter written by these people was even more useful than his own imperial edict. Speaking of which, they still didn't have enough prestige!
However, this was not something that could be done overnight. Prestige was not built in a day.
It would probably take a long time to reach the point where the words were the law. Perhaps it would be possible when he swept through Mobei.
Perhaps there weren't many benefits in the north. It would be better to focus on the south, on the sea. However, the political significance was different.
The Han and Tang were considered strong because they swept through the grasslands and established their position as the overlord.
The main reason why Great Song was seen as weak was because they had lost their position as the overlord of the Han people.
Only by sweeping through Mobei could his reputation reach an unprecedented level. He would surpass Emperor Chengzu and Emperor Taizu. By then, his imperial edict would be a real imperial edict.
As for attacking the south, even if he conquered India and expanded his territory, it wouldn't be as meaningful as sweeping through the grasslands.
In fact, after wiping out Wala, Zhu Yijun already had this feeling. Standing in the court, he could see the attitude of the officials towards him. They were more respectful and respectful. This was prestige.
He didn't need to bring his sword to court. All he had to do was sit there and that kind of prestige would come out. In the words of the future, he now had his own buff, the aura of intimidation. His words would be unconsciously listened to. Just standing there would make people unconsciously fear him. If they looked him in the eye, the attack power would be halved.