Volume 2: The Capital, I’m Back Chapter 59: Money is not a problem
"Just now, the two ministers said that the court has no money to build the Martyrs' Shrine?"
Zhu Qizhen knew very well that this was not a matter of money at all. The main reason why these people opposed the construction of the Martyrs' Shrine was that the Shrine would bring almost no benefit to them, the literati. The so-called lack of money was just an excuse.
Because they basically have no chance, or very little chance, to enjoy it.
Moreover, they have to watch helplessly the soldiers whom they despise on a daily basis enjoy the glory that they will never be able to enjoy.
"If the court really has no money, how about this? I can let the generals raise money on their own. Duke Ying, Marquis Taining, Earl Xiangcheng, what do you think?"
Zhang Fu had just finished arguing with someone, and said with some resentment: "As long as the court decides to build the Martyrs' Shrine, this old minister is willing to spend all his wealth!"
Chen Ying and Li Zhen also expressed their willingness to pay the money.
"Oh, that's right!" Zhu Qizhen seemed to have thought of something and continued, "The families of those soldiers who died for their country should also be willing to pay this money, Minister Hu, Minister Wang, what do you think?"
Hu Yi was fine, but Wang Zuo's face became nervous and cold sweat appeared on his forehead.
Because he had been to the battlefield himself, and had personally experienced how to break out of the siege from Tumubao, and the scene of the soldiers fighting bloody battles was still vivid in his mind. Did he really want to let those soldiers who fought for the country bleed and shed tears...
"I think... it's inappropriate!"
"Oh?" Zhu Qizhen smiled faintly and asked, "Why is it inappropriate?"
"This..." Wang Zuo hesitated, "I think we can't let the families of meritorious people pay...pay..."
"You still know?" Zhu Qizhen unconsciously emphasized, "I thought you guys had damaged your brains from reading so much!"
Wang Zuo realized that something was wrong and said quickly, "I am terrified!"
Hu Yi, however, still looked like a dead pig that was not afraid of boiling water, and said: "Your Majesty, we are not against building the Martyrs' Shrine, but the Ministry of Revenue really has no money. This year's treasury expenditures have all been used up in the first half of the year. If we build the Martyrs' Shrine now, we can only overdraw next year's annual revenue."
It is no wonder that Hu Yi dared to confront the emperor head-on, because it was also a fact that the national treasury could not come up with the money.
I have no money, what can you do to me?
Zhu Qizhen said: "You two ministers, one is in charge of the Ministry of Rites, and the other is in charge of the Ministry of Revenue. Why don't you calculate on the spot how much it will cost to build the Martyrs' Shrine? Oh, and the Ministry of Works, too! Let's calculate together!"
At this time, the Minister of Works Shi Pu was still in Chuzhou to quell the rebellion, and all matters of the Ministry of Works were in the charge of the Left Vice Minister Wang Yonghe.
The three of them gathered together to discuss for a moment and quickly reached a consensus on the rough number.
Hu Yi said, "Your Majesty, we roughly estimate that the construction of the Martyrs' Shrine will require at least 1.8 million taels of silver. In addition, since there are many people on the expedition, the rewards for the soldiers and the pensions for the dead will probably cost 1.5 million taels of silver."
In the early days of the Ming Dynasty, it was stipulated to use Baochao. During the Zhengtong period, Baochao depreciated to the point that no one wanted it. As a last resort, the Ming Dynasty simply fully opened up the silver transaction. However, the silver production of the Ming Dynasty was not high, and there was no large influx of silver from overseas at that time, so the silver price was still relatively high. The three ministers were able to come up with such a budget, and they still put in a lot of effort.
However, Zhu Qizhen was still not satisfied with this figure and asked again: "How much money can the Ministry of Revenue come up with?"
"At most... two million taels!"
Zhu Qizhen said immediately: "Whether it is the Martyrs' Shrine or the pensions and rewards, the standards will be raised. The budget for the Martyrs' Shrine will be raised to 3 million, and the pensions and rewards for the soldiers will be raised to 2 million."
"Your Majesty, I really have no money!"
Wang Zuo was really anxious. Where could I steal five million taels for you?
"I will find a way to pay for the money. After that, the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of Works and the Cabinet will draft the regulations as soon as possible and produce the construction drawings of the Martyrs' Shrine as soon as possible ."
Wang Zuo was stunned for a moment, then he was overjoyed. As long as you don’t ask him for money, you can do whatever you want. Not to mention raising the budget to three million, even if it’s thirty million, I can do it for you!
"I obey your order!"
"Let's stop here for today. Prince Qing and Yu Qian stay!"
All the ministers left, and Prince Qin and Yu Qian stayed in the palace.
Prince Qing was fine, as he had been regent for such a long time and had many things to report to the emperor. But Yu Qian couldn't understand it. He vaguely felt that he was being targeted by the emperor, as if everything was related to him.
But when I think about it, I didn't do anything. I just said a few words when I was on the expedition. It's been so long, why am I still holding on to it...
Seeing the two of them looking a little embarrassed, Zhu Qizhen waved his hand and said, "Don't be nervous, Jin Banban, take a seat!"
Standing next to Zhu Qizhen was the eunuch Jin Ying, who was brought back from the Kingdom of Annan thousands of miles away by Zhang Fu when Emperor Taizong conquered Annan. He was smart, loyal and diligent since childhood. In the seventh year of Xuande, he was promoted to the eunuch in charge of the Imperial Household Department. But later Wang Zhen came to power and gradually squeezed Jin Ying out. Now that Wang Zhen has been executed, this position naturally belongs to him.
Jin Ying immediately brought two brocade stools and then stood obediently beside Zhu Qizhen.
Zhu Qizhen asked curiously, "Yu Qian, why do you look so sad?"
Yu Qian immediately stood up and said, "I am thinking about the case. Whether it is Shi Heng, the commander of Datong, Kang Neng, the commander of Huailai, or the commander of Huangyaguan, so many things have happened in the Ministry of War. I feel deeply responsible!"
"If you have any ideas, tell me!"
"I think the Ministry of War needs to conduct a thorough investigation to identify these bad apples and then formulate a comprehensive assessment system to prevent such incidents from happening again."
"You handle these things yourself. I just want the results."
After Zhu Qizhen finished speaking, he turned to Zhu Qiyu and asked, "What does Prince Qing think about the Martyrs' Shrine?"
Zhu Qiyu immediately replied: "The emperor proposed to build a martyrs' shrine. The original intention was to reward those who were loyal to the Ming Dynasty. However, the Ministry of Revenue really cannot afford extra money and grain. The budget of 3 million taels is a bit high, isn't it?"
Zhu Qizhen smiled but did not answer. He looked at Yu Qian again and said, "Yu Qian, tell me!"
Yu Qian replied: "I deeply agree with this."
"What's the point of just agreeing? Didn't the King of Qing just say that the Ministry of Revenue has no money?"
"I'm sure the Emperor has his own plans regarding the silver."
Zhu Qizhen immediately became interested and asked, "Tell me what my plan is? If you can't tell me, you have to pay for it!"
Yu Qian was stunned and thought to himself, why is this being blamed on me again?
"Your Majesty is teasing me again. Five million taels is surely not a big deal."
Zhu Qiyu, who was standing by, was completely confused and asked, "Minister Yu, what exactly is the secret behind this? Please don't keep us in suspense."
Yu Qian said, "The Emperor has issued an order to investigate Wang Zhen and his followers. After the Royal Guards confiscate their property, I'm afraid the proceeds will be more than five million taels, not to mention the case involving the Ministry of War."
Zhu Qiyu suddenly realized. No wonder the emperor was not panicked at all. It turned out that someone paid the money!
Zhu Qizhen smiled and said, "Well, you don't have to worry about the money. I mainly want to talk to you about the dispatch of officials. Luo Tong has gone to Huailai now, and Juyongguan is temporarily guarded by the Minister of War Kuang Ye. You should quickly send someone over to replace Minister Kuang."
"I obey your order!"
"Also, the position of Datong garrison commander is vacant, and we need to find a suitable person to take over as soon as possible. Border defense is extremely important, so I will leave these matters to you."
Yu Qian thought for a moment and said, "Although the Oirat leader has withdrawn his troops, he may come back at any time. It would be Chen Xun, the Earl of Suian, and Shen Rong, the Earl of Xiuwu, were responsible for guarding Datong and Juyongguan respectively. What do you think, Your Majesty?"
Zhu Qizhen nodded. Among the heroes who had fought with him from Tumubao, Duke Ying Zhang Fu led the Beijing Camp and he must not be moved. Marquis Taining Chen Ying was in charge of the Shenji Camp and he would be upgrading the Shenji Camp and he must not be moved. Li Zhen, Earl of Xiangcheng, was in charge of the Sanqian Camp and he personally led the troops and he must not be moved.
From this perspective, Chen Xun, Earl of Suian, and Shen Rong, Earl of Xiuwu, are the most suitable candidates.
"This is a good proposal. The Ministry of War, the Ministry of Personnel and the Cabinet should come up with a charter for the specific matters and submit it to the Imperial Household Department for approval."
"I obey your order!"
After Yu Qian finished speaking, he looked at Zhu Qizhen, then at Zhu Qiyu, and said cautiously: "Then I...will take my leave first?"
Zhu Qizhen nodded and said, "Go ahead. Remember, the case of the Ministry of War must be investigated thoroughly. Whoever is found guilty will be severely punished!"
"I obey your order!"
