Chapter Twenty-Seven: Any Mischief Was Chongzhen’s Doing—This Crown Prince Had Nothing to Do with It!
Sure enough, the next moment, Ni Yuanlu continued speaking:
“I have heard that yesterday the Embroidered Uniform Guard raided many noble households. May I ask, Your Highness the Crown Prince, how much silver was confiscated?”
According to past regulations, the silver seized during these raids was to be handed directly into the imperial treasury, and the Ministry of Revenue was not supposed to interfere.
But now that the Ming Dynasty had fallen into such chaos, Ni Yuanlu no longer paid much heed to the rules.
After all, whether it came from the Ministry of Revenue or the imperial treasury, the silver ultimately served the interests of the Zhu family. It seemed reasonable for you to contribute some funds.
Zhu Cilang feigned contemplation for a moment before replying:
“Approximately thirty million taels of silver.”
Zhu Cilang did not lie; the silver seized from the raids indeed amounted to thirty million taels.
The remaining twenty million taels were voluntarily surrendered by the nobles, which was a separate matter entirely.
“Is that so much?”
Upon hearing this figure, the assembled ministers were all somewhat taken aback.
Clearly, they had not expected the noble families to be so wealthy!
Ni Yuanlu was also surprised, but he quickly regained his composure and spoke again:
“In that case, I respectfully request Your Highness the Crown Prince to allocate some silver to the Ministry of Revenue to cover the arrears of military salaries and officials’ wages accumulated over recent years.”
“In addition, there are funds needed for disaster relief!”
Zhu Cilang asked expressionlessly:
“Altogether, how much silver is required?”
He had already prepared himself for a heavy financial burden yesterday, so he no longer cared much.
Ni Yuanlu seemed well-prepared and immediately responded with a bow:
“I have already calculated it. The arrears for military salaries amount to 4.3 million taels of silver, the unpaid wages for officials total 2.8 million taels, and disaster relief requires 2 million taels.”
“Along with other miscellaneous expenditures, the total comes to 10 million taels of silver.”
“Furthermore, the Ministry of Revenue is truly out of funds. I also respectfully request Your Highness to transfer an additional 5 million taels to the Ministry as a reserve for unforeseen circumstances.”
...
Upon hearing this, Zhu Cilang nearly spat blood from anger!
Good heavens!
After painstakingly seizing thirty million taels of silver, this man now asked for half of it in a single breath!
His heart must be pitch black.
Though enraged, Zhu Cilang knew, after all, this money was meant to be spent.
Moreover, isn’t money meant to be spent?
Previously, Zhu Cilang had investigated the tax revenues during the Chongzhen era, and the results were far from satisfactory.
Take last year, for example.
In the thirteenth year of Chongzhen’s reign, there were 9.6 million households, with a population of 56.43 million, cultivating 7.83 million hectares of land. The land tax yielded 19 million dan of rice and 3.3 million dan of wheat.
Zhejiang and Southern Zhili delivered 3.3 million taels of silver, 23 million copper coins, and 3.5 million dan of coarse grain to the capital’s granary at Taicang.
Northern Zhili and Shandong provinces sent the Ministry of War 1.15 million taels of silver, while other provinces delivered 4.3 million taels for military salaries.
This included all taxes on salt, minerals, tea, and so forth.
It sounds like a lot, right? If all were converted into silver, the total would easily exceed 20 million taels.
But in reality, 70% of these funds never reached the capital; they were often diverted locally for military expenses and supplies.
The national treasury only received slightly over 3 million taels annually, which was still insufficient, causing chronic deficits year after year.
If Zhu Cilang had not seized such a large sum of silver, the debts would have only continued to mount.
Judging by current expenditures, the Ming’s tax revenue needed to rise to at least 35 million taels just to barely cover the state’s basic expenses…
And that’s not to mention additional needs arising from natural disasters and human calamities, which could require even more!
A headache!
A real headache!
Money was becoming harder and harder to come by…
Zhu Cilang sighed inwardly before speaking:
“In that case, it is approved!”
Ni Yuanlu breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.
He had initially feared there would be no funds today and had prepared to beg with his last shred of dignity, but unexpectedly, Zhu Cilang agreed outright.
Had this been Chongzhen himself, even with agreement, it would likely have been at a discounted rate.
In this respect, the Crown Prince acting as regent had its advantages.
But before Ni Yuanlu could fully relax, Zhu Cilang’s voice rang out again.
“The silver may be allocated to the Ministry of Revenue, but given the recent widespread corruption of military funds by the nobles, it is difficult to ensure that these funds will not be embezzled again.”
“Therefore, to ensure clean governance, His Majesty has decided to reestablish the Eastern and Western Factories to supervise all officials!”
“All uses and disbursements of these funds must be overseen by the Eastern and Western Factories. Any corruption found will be met with severe punishment!”
What?
Hearing this, all the civil and military officials present looked at Zhu Cilang in stunned disbelief, as if they had seen a ghost!
Since Chongzhen ascended the throne, the Western Factory had long been abolished, and the Eastern Factory along with the Embroidered Uniform Guard had been merely shadows of their former selves.
Why now, all of a sudden, was there talk of reinstating the Eastern and Western Factories?
Was this not a death sentence for them?
They had grown accustomed to a life without oversight, free and unrestrained. Suddenly, to be subjected to the Eastern and Western Factories again—how could they survive?
Realizing this, the Grand Secretary Zhou Yanru hurriedly stood and cautioned:
“Your Highness the Crown Prince, this matter must not go forward!”
“The Eastern and Western Factories bring disaster upon the state. The havoc wreaked by Wei Zhongxian and his eunuch faction is still fresh in our minds. How can we permit such a recurrence?”
Ni Yuanlu quickly added:
“Your Highness the Crown Prince! I second this motion. Now is certainly not the time!”
“I also petition! I implore Your Majesty to rescind this edict!”
“I second the petition!”
“Me too!”
“Count me in!”
...
In an instant, the majority of ministers present rose, each passionately demanding the revocation of the order.
They had no choice—they were genuinely terrified!
If the Eastern and Western Factories were reinstated, how could they continue to manipulate court affairs and engage in corruption?
Their reaction was entirely anticipated by Zhu Cilang, who had long known what these men feared most.
And whatever they feared, Zhu Cilang was determined to pursue!
Thinking this, he feigned a troubled expression and said:
“Gentlemen, I am aware of your concerns, and I myself do not agree with this matter.”
“To be honest, I spent all of yesterday persuading His Majesty to withdraw the decree.”
“But His Majesty, enraged by the nobles’ corruption and rebellion, absolutely refuses and insists on reestablishing the Eastern and Western Factories.”
“Therefore, I, as Crown Prince, am powerless in this matter!”
See?
All the wrongdoing lay with Chongzhen—it had nothing to do with the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince tried to persuade him, but Chongzhen would not listen.
There was nothing else the Crown Prince could do...
Even with the emperor invoked and the situation laid bare, some ministers refused to relent.
“Your Highness the Crown Prince, I, Grand Secretary Zhou Yanru, request an audience with His Majesty!”
“I must explain the stakes to His Majesty!”
Zhou Yanru spoke first.
“I, Grand Secretary Li Biao, request an audience with His Majesty!”
“I, Grand Secretary Qian Longxi, request an audience with His Majesty!”
“I, Minister of Justice Xu Shiqi, request an audience with His Majesty!”
...
Several other high-ranking ministers stepped forward, clamoring to meet with Chongzhen.
They had no choice—they were truly frightened!
After all, who among them had not concealed some scandal beneath their seats to reach their current positions?
If the Eastern and Western Factories were truly reestablished, their careers would be finished!