Chapter 573 Tang Feng’s plan

"Released the sea ban?" Sure enough, Chongzhen's face changed after hearing this proposal. Obviously, he had never even thought about the rules set by this ancestor. Since he had already started talking, Tang Feng had no idea of ​​giving up halfway. Although the emperor looked a little surprised, he still insisted on his own opinion: "Yes, it is to release the sea ban! Your Majesty, there are many Western countries besides my Ming Dynasty, and the people there are also yearning for the exquisite items such as silk, tea, porcelain, etc. in the Ming Dynasty. Over the years, although there are only a few places in the Ming Dynasty that I have access to the sea, they still got these items through smuggling, and praised them endlessly. As long as my Ming Dynasty is willing to truly communicate with them, the wealth owned by those countries can be continuously sent to us from the ocean, and the court can draw taxes from it and get sufficient silver."

"This..." Although the emperor knew very little about the outside world, he also knew that what Tang Feng said was true. He had heard of some Folang Ji people coming to Guangdong and other places to do business. However, with the imperial court's success, this phenomenon has been much less. This is indeed extremely tempting. After all, it is real money and silver. However, the rules of the ancestors still made Chongzhen hesitate: "The ban on the film boards set by Taizu during the time of Taizu is not allowed to go into the sea, I am afraid that I can't make fun of it."

Tang Feng saw Chongzhen's hesitation and advised: "Your Majesty, although I had a ban in the Ming Dynasty, I didn't expect that this would happen today when the ban was issued. If the court could no longer obtain silver from these places, I was afraid that even the country and the country would be in danger..." After saying this, Tang Feng realized that he had lost his words. Fortunately, Chongzhen was embarrassed and did not listen carefully to Tang Feng's words, so he hurriedly said: "What's more, even if the ban in the court has, the people of coastal cities such as Suzhou are still secretly selling things to overseas countries, and they don't have to pay any taxes. But if the court allows them to do this, we can draw enough benefits from it."

When Chongzhen thought about the current situation in the treasury, he was really moved. He was not yet thirty years old. Sometimes he was a little unruly. It was just because no one said this in front of him that he had no idea about this. "Is this only one method possible?" In the end, Chongzhen still couldn't make a decision.

Tang Feng knew that this matter was related to national policy and could not be finalized in just a few words, so he stopped persuading him, but proposed a second solution: "In fact, in addition to opening up the source, there is still a feasible way to reduce expenditure."

"Let me tell me." Chongzhen immediately ignored the issue of opening the maritime ban that made him embarrassed. If there were other ways to solve the problem of empty treasury, it would be better not to touch such a ancestral rule. But he forgot one thing. When Tang Feng proposed his own idea, he said that he did not dare to mention it because these two points were contrary to the rules of the Ming Dynasty, so of course this second point would not be so easy to accept.

"The emperor thought that among the expenses of our Ming Dynasty court in one year, which one is the largest and the least necessary?" Tang Feng did not immediately tell his own solution, but asked a question. Chongzhen thought for a while, but couldn't say it for a while. Whether it was military expenses, officials' salaries, and local relief, they seemed to be the same, but they were the foundation of the court's foothold, but nothing was unnecessary.

Seeing Chongzhen unable to remember, Tang Feng simply said: "That is the expenses of the royal family. I have been in charge of the Ming Dynasty for more than two hundred years. From the kings, there are hundreds of thousands of royal families. They are not engaged in production but can be nurtured by the court. They own most of the land, but they do not have to pay taxes at all. This is the real reason why the treasury of my Ming Dynasty is becoming increasingly empty."

"What do you mean?" Chongzhen looked at Tang Feng in disbelief, but he didn't expect that he would point directly to this point. Even the emperor dared not touch the interests of the Ming royal family. In fact, as the king of a country, how could Chongzhen not understand this? The hundreds of thousands of royal family members in the Ming Dynasty were like parasites on a tree, constantly absorbing the nutrients of the big trees. When the big trees were normal, they could not feel their threats. But once there was really something wrong, the harm they caused was extremely great. The annexation of land and the land they obtained did not have to pay taxes, making these royal families more and more rich, but the court and the people became poorer. This is a reality that many people see. But no one dared to touch them, because this was not only the precept set by the Taizu, but also because they were the foundation of the Zhuming Dynasty.

But Tang Feng didn't think so. Judging from the later history, those royal families were just parasites. When the Ming Dynasty really had a big crisis, they not only could not help, but they would only drag the court. The later small imperial court of the Southern Ming Dynasty. If it weren't for the incompetence of those emperors, they could have been as stable as the Southern Song Dynasty for more than a hundred years, right? But they didn't, and they were destroyed by the Qing people in just a few years. From these facts, Tang Feng could be sure that these royal families were useless at all, and they just dragged the Ming court.

"What do you mean?" Chongzhen asked with some difficulty.

Tang Feng took a deep breath: "It is certainly impossible to get rid of the disasters of the royal family now, but Your Majesty, we can reduce their expenses first. Even the expenses of your palace, your prince, have been reduced. Can't they, as royal families, fulfill their obligations that they should fulfill for our Ming Dynasty? I think this is more urgent than opening the sea ban. Only in this way will our Ming Dynasty be balanced next year, and we can take out silver to pay military expenses and provide relief to the victims in various places, so that our Ming Dynasty will be stable."

Chongzhen was brought back to the crisis in front of him by his words. Indeed, money is needed everywhere now. Even if Liaodong can still delay it, the Shaanxi affairs must be dealt with as soon as possible. Otherwise, the rioters who have arrived there will be really a big rise, which will be very unfavorable to the entire Ming Dynasty. "I have already remembered your proposal in my heart. I am very pleased that you can think about my Ming Dynasty in this way and not be afraid of anything else. I will consider these two plans." Chongzhen said in the end.

Knowing that it was impossible to make a decision immediately, Tang Feng had to respond in a low voice and then said, "What I said is actually a bit presumptuous and disrespectful. Please forgive your guilt."

"I just said that I will forgive you for being innocent, so naturally I will not go back on my word now." Chongzhen comforted Tang Feng with a reluctant smile on his face.

"Thank you Your Majesty! I have another word to report to Your Majesty. Since this suggestion to reduce the cost of the royal family is my report, I am willing to take responsibility. Please reduce the cost of the daily cost of the Anping Marquis' Mansion first."

"You..." The emperor's face was moved again. He really forgot about Tang Feng's current identity. Now he is also a royal family. After nodding, Chongzhen said: "I know your loyalty to me. I will do this when it is necessary, but I cannot let others know about this matter now."

"I have recorded it, I will not tell you what others know about it." Tang Feng hurriedly stated.

After saying this, the emperor returned to the palace. Now there are so many troubles in the world. As the emperor, he certainly cannot stay outside for a long time. Maybe there is a memorial waiting for him to approve it. After sending the emperor out of the door, Tang Feng sighed deeply. After all, Chongzhen was not the founding kings, and he still couldn't make such a big decision on some fundamental issues, but it was rare for a king of a country to be like him.

When he returned to the study, Tang Feng saw a tall figure waiting for him, but it was Lu An. At this time, he remembered the fact that he had sent someone to call him before, so he walked up and said, "Because a noble man came to my marquis's mansion, he forgot to greet Lord Lu for a moment, but this marquis was rude."

"The Marquis said this to kill the lower officials." Lu An hurriedly stepped forward and said, "He has been the assistant minister of the Jinyiwei in the past two years, and then the commander of the Nanzhen Fushi. Now he has a little more official power, but he dared not be careless in front of Tang Feng, and he still has the same respect as before: "I wonder what the Marquis called the lower officials for?"

"You sit first!" Tang Feng took the lead after pointing to a chair in the room. After Lu An sat down, he said: "I learned about a major event, which was about several incidents of people's rebellion in Shaanxi. Do you know?"

"I have heard of this official. Why? Is the marquis who lived in the capital for a long time and wanted to go to Shaanxi again?"

Tang Feng ignored his question and said to himself: "Do you know the cause of this matter?"

"This... I heard that the local officials were insatiable and embezzled all the disaster relief food allocated by the court, which made the people unable to continue. The people there suddenly killed the county magistrate." Lu An answered carefully after glanced at Tang Feng's expression.

"Yes, this is what I know. If I remember correctly, when disasters occur frequently in various places, I have already asked the people of the Jinyiwei to pay attention to the situation of officials in various places. What do you think about this?"

"Sure enough, I knew he would interfere in this matter!" Lu An was secretly happy. After learning about Shaanxi, Lu An could guess that he would have such a reaction with his understanding of Tang Feng's character. After all, he was an old man who had been with Tang Feng for many years. Although he thought so in his heart, Lu An did not reveal anything on his face, but said: "Mr. Marquis Mingjian, the Xiaguan is now from the Nanzhen Fushi, and he has no right to monitor officials from all over the country, so the Xiaguan dared not say anything about this."

"Is that true?" Tang Feng looked at him for a while before suddenly smiling: "Do you really ignore anything after I became this marquis? Or do you think that I am already full of wings and don't want to tell me the truth?"

"I dare not!" After being looked at by Tang Feng with a smile, even Lu An felt cold. Although Tang Feng seemed to have no real power now, his decisive behavior of killing was still left in Lu An's memory. Shandong, Zhejiang, and the killings against Dongchang were all done by Tang Feng, which made him feel afraid.

"You are good at Nanzhen, and it's okay to have no right to supervise local officials, but Nanzhen has its own responsibilities. I think, there is no need for this marquis to say anything else, right?" Tang Feng glanced at Lu An and said deeply.

Speaking of this, Lu An knew that the heat was enough and his goal had been achieved. He wanted to let himself tell the mistakes of the Beizhen Fushi, so after hesitating for a while, he said: "Sir, I did know some problems within my Jinyiwei during this period." Unconsciously, he used his previous name again: "In the past year, as the power of the Beizhen Fushi gradually became controlled by Admiral Luo, he had begun to cultivate himself.

The confidant. To make people obedient, you have to be kind, and money is the most affordable kind. As far as I can detect the reconnaissance, many Jinyiwei personnel from all over the country, once they find out that there is something illegal about the local officials, they do not ask for the crime, but ask for benefits first. As long as they can meet the number of bribes they ask for, the problem of these officials is no longer a problem. Although it is still unknown how the situation in Shaanxi is in office, I think it is because of this."

Tang Feng nodded with satisfaction: "Your judgment is correct. Apart from this, I can't think of any reason to explain what even the local people know but we don't know. It seems that Luo Yang's character has really changed!"

"Sir, maybe he was just a temporary mistake. As long as you remind him, he will definitely correct me."

"Is that so? Do you know how much he has done in the Jinyiwei and how many benefits he has gained over the past year? Although I have heard of these things before, I didn't say them because I thought of the past friendship. But this time he did too much. Jinyiwei is a powerful tool used by the emperor to supervise all officials, and it is not a tool he used to satisfy his selfish desires. Since he can no longer turn back, he can no longer let him continue to serve in this position." Tang Feng said lightly: "Only you know and I know this matter. I hope you will not pass it on to Liu Er before the incident."

"Yes, I have recorded it. My lord, but if you have any instructions, I and the people of Nanzhen under me will not let you down."

"Okay, it's still early, you go back first." Tang Feng waved.

After walking out of the Anping Marquis Mansion, Lu An couldn't help but smile with a smug smile: "Master Tang, it seems that you will really attack Luo Yangxing this time." In fact, during these days, as the Dongchang no longer exists, Nanzhen and Beizhen, which lacks foreign enemies, have had several conflicts. Lu An is always suppressed by Luo Yangxing, who is one level higher than him, which makes him feel very uncomfortable. After learning about Beizhen this time, Lu An began to plan how to deal with Luo Yangxing. When people walked to a high place and arrived at his position, of course they hoped to sit in the high position of the Admiral of Jinyi, and excluding Luo Yangxing was the premise of all this.

Lu An knew that Tang Feng still had an immeasurable force in the Jinyiwei, so he wanted to use Tang Feng's hand to deal with Luo Yangxing. However, he also knew Tang Feng's ability and knew that he would be suspicious of him when he went straight to the door, so he endured it. However, being patient does not mean not taking action. The matter in Shaanxi is the perfect opportunity he found, and that secret letter is a means to push everything to the front. Now it seems that Tang Feng has begun to doubt and dissatisfie with Luo Yangxing, and perhaps the day to replace him is not far away.

But what Lu An didn't know was that his mind was already under Tang Feng's control. Since Tang Feng could know some things about Beizhen, how could he hide the hostility of Nanbei Town than him? The reason why Tang Feng has been tolerant of it is not only because he doesn't want the censors in the court to impeach him, but also because he also wants to wait for the opportunity. Now the time is coming.

"Lu An, Luo Yangxing, these two people have their own selfishness. In fact, selfishness is nothing. Everyone has selfishness. It is understandable to do some injustice for fame and fortune, but Luo Yangxing has done too much. He was determined to consolidate his position, but put the stability of the Ming Dynasty aside. Once such a person has greater power, it will only harm the interests of the court, so such a person must be eliminated! As for Lu An, it seems that his harm is not obvious now. I hope that he can give him a warning after apart from Luo Yangxing this time." After closing his eyes and thinking for a while, Tang Feng had already made the idea of ​​treating the two differently, but all this has to be waiting for the emperor's intention.

It was actually Tang Feng expected that Chongzhen suddenly came to his mansion today, but he didn't expect that he would come so quickly. Although there are many officials in the court today, everyone has selfish intentions and fights. Although the emperor is using them, he is also guarding against them. Chongzhen did not want the second Wei Zhongxian or eunuch party to appear again. He is the person the emperor can trust the most. In addition to years of relationships, what is more important is that he has the status of a marquis and will not really stand in the court at all, so it is impossible to form his own party.

In addition, his previous series of actions in Shandong and Zhejiang have shown his ability to handle some urgent matters. After being accepted by the emperor in terms of reliability and ability, Chongzhen of course thought of using himself again to solve the current danger. So today he suddenly came to see himself, just to see how well he understood the matter and his view of the current situation.

The two points raised by Tang Feng were based on the problems in front of him. What’s more important is that these two ideas did not care about their own praise and criticism, so that the emperor knew that he was really devoted to the country. In this way, after returning to the palace to think about it, Chongzhen would definitely re-examine himself, and when he found that things were no longer good, he would take action again.

This is an opportunity that Tang Feng has been waiting for. In addition to the Jinyiwei, he has many things to change. Whether it is the maritime ban or the royal family, in this rebellious frenzy that is about to intensify, he will completely take the direction of the Ming Dynasty in his own hands, so as to truly change the established track of the Ming Dynasty.

Only in troubled times can some old systems be quickly broken, and the resistance will become very small...
Chapter completed!