Chapter 591: Knowledge of Senior Civil Servants
In the left pavilion of Ziguang Pavilion in Xiyuan, Zhu Yijun, dressed in a red round-collared robe with twelve emblems, stood at the head and gave a lecture to five people.

Four ministers wearing robes bestowed with dragon figures, Hu Zongxian, Zhang Juzheng, Zhao Zhenji and Tan Lun, and one wearing a bullfighting costume, Yang Jinshui, sat in a semicircle at the bottom.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I have been speaking for more than an hour. You should all understand what political economy is. Now I will make a summary.

Political economy is the science that studies the laws governing the production and exchange of material means of life in human society.

As I said just now, production and exchange are two different social functions.

Without exchange, production can also take place; without production, exchange, because it is the exchange of products from the beginning, cannot take place. Therefore, it can be inferred that production is the basis of exchange, and exchange is a derivative of production.

These two social functions influence each other and are also influenced by external factors, so each has its own unique rules. We must pay attention to this point. “

Hu Zongxian and four others were holding brushes and taking notes continuously.

Qi Yan and five other eunuchs from the Imperial Household Department were also recording what was happening nearby.

Zhu Yijun continued: “The people are the foundation, so allowing the people to live a prosperous and stable life is the foundation of the country.

How can people live a prosperous and stable life? That is to develop the economy.

It can be inferred that economic development is the foundation of political stability, and we should be committed to promoting economic development and social progress.

Political decisions mostly revolve around the economy and require the wisdom of all parties. Listening to all sides will lead to wisdom, while only believing in one side will lead to confusion.

Political problems are solved by political means, economic problems are solved by economic means, and military problems are solved by military means, but the basis of all solutions is economics. “

Zhang Juzheng raised his head and saw Zhu Yijun standing at the top, and he felt dazed for a moment.

The emperor had grown taller. He was taller than an average adult at this time, with a sturdy and upright figure, quite like Taizu.

The style of Taizu?

I’m afraid that Taizu was not as good as he was in doing what he did in Jiangnan.

Taizu just killed a lot of people, but the emperor not only killed people, he also liked to destroy their hearts.

Yes, it is not called killing the heart, it is called clearing away the legacy
And the knowledge he talked about was like a storm, violently and continuously impacting himself and the minds of his ministers.

These people have refreshing and thought-provoking knowledge. Where did the emperor learn it from?

He is only sixteen years old and still his student.
It’s incredible.

Zhu Yijun continued speaking.

“In politics, it is about foresight; in military affairs, it is about planning; in economics, it is about decisiveness. The key point is to judge the situation. It is a manifestation of great wisdom and a combination of knowledge and experience.

Political mistakes, military defeats, and economic failures are all related to assessing the situation. Assessing the situation is a strategy and a direction, while the rest of the political means, economic management, and military tactics are all skills.

Politics is a field full of intrigues that requires compromise; business is a field full of deception that requires trust; science is a field full of thorns that requires exploration; culture is a field full of prejudice that requires tolerance.

Zhu Yijun clapped his hands and said with a smile: “Okay, four old gentlemen, Jinshui, this is the end of my lecture today.”

Hu Zongxian smiled and replied: “Today is another fruitful day for us.”

Everyone laughed.

They had listened to Zhu Yijun’s lectures more than a dozen times and had long been numbed by the shock and had become accustomed to it.

Seeing that everyone looked like they had been taught a lesson, Zhu Yijun was satisfied.

“Political Economy”, “Dialectics and Materialism”, and other knowledge in modern philosophy, economics, etc. are all thanks to my identity as a senior civil servant in the Religious Affairs Bureau.

Superiors often invite well-known professors to give lectures on politics, economics, culture and even philosophy.

I don’t want to go to any department.

I’m in my thirties or forties, and I still have to go to classes and write study reports after classes. Isn’t that annoying?

However, the lectures held by the superiors in accordance with the instructions of the superiors had to be held in a sparsely populated atmosphere. The venue was not even full, and the photos on the bulletin board were not good looking.

Then we can draw people from each department to fill up the venue and liven up the event.

The Religious Affairs Bureau, a less busy department, became the first choice, and senior civil servant Lao Zhu also became a key member of the transfer.

Old Zhu is also willing to be an old student in his forties.

When you go there, you will be given various gifts and souvenirs, the company will give you subsidies, and food and accommodation will be included, which is equivalent to net income.

Sometimes lectures are given at nearby scenic spots, which is equivalent to a tour at public expense.

He didn’t have much knowledge in his stomach originally, but after attending more classes, a little bit of this and a little bit of that, Lao Zhu’s stomach was filled with knowledge, like a grocery store.

Now sort it out and take it out to bully these ancestors.

The eunuchs took away the pens and inkstones, and several more eunuchs came in carrying bowls of white fungus and lotus seed soup.

Qi Yan said, “Your Majesty, when the Empress heard that Your Majesty was discussing matters with a few old gentlemen, she asked the Imperial Kitchen in the West Garden to prepare some Tremella and Lotus Seed Soup and had it sent over.”

Zhu Yijun waved his right hand in a circle, “Since it is the Queen’s intention, place it for the gentlemen and Jinshui.”

“Yes.”

Hu Zongxian and the other four picked up the bowls with golden rims and lotus branches and said to Qi Yan in unison, “Eunuch Qi, please thank the queen for the food on our behalf.”

Zhu Yijun held the bowl and ate with big mouthfuls, his mouth never idle.

“To improve the economy is to help the people get out of poverty and into prosperity. I think that the books of saints are for people to read, but if they are used to do practical things, nothing will be accomplished.

Some Neo-Confucian scholars in the court said that we should be content with poverty, as if being poor is a good thing. Tell me, does being poor necessarily mean being honest and loyal?

Zhang Juzheng replied: “Your Majesty, I don’t think so. They are the cunning and unruly people.”

Zhu Yijun said: “Master Zhang is right. When people are extremely poor and hungry, they can do anything. But are rich people necessarily good people?
That is not necessarily the case. The rich want to be even richer, and there are many rich people who are unkind.

But generally speaking, as long as the people have enough food to eat and warm clothes to wear, and have hope for the future, the world will be peaceful and the Ming Dynasty will be forever stable. “

“The Emperor’s Holy Might.”

After putting down the bowl, rinsing his mouth and washing his hands, Zhu Yijun pointed at Qi Yan.

“Four old gentlemen, Jinshui, let’s put our knowledge into practice now. Qi Yan, distribute the copy of Lord Hai’s memorial to everyone.”

“According to the order.”

The five people took Hai Rui’s memorial and read it carefully, and each of them had a different expression.

Hu Zongxian put down the copy and said with emotion: “Only Hai Rui in the world would dare to write such a memorial.” Zhao Zhenji also put down the copy, took off his reading glasses, turned to Zhang Juzheng and said: “Uncle, once this memorial by Gangfeng is made public, you will be out of the dire straits.”

Zhang Juzheng closed the copy and couldn’t calm down for a long time. “I am ashamed, really ashamed. Compared with Mr. Gangfeng’s courage and sincerity, I am ashamed.”

Tan Lun echoed, “Gongfeng Gong stands proudly in the world because of his pure heart and his courage to not fear any slander.”

Zhu Yijun waved his hand and said, “Gentlemen, we will praise Lord Hai later. Now let’s discuss Lord Hai’s memorial.”

Seeing Hu Zongxian and the other three hesitated, Yang Jinshui spoke first, “Your Majesty, I just listened to your lecture and understood a few things. I don’t know if it’s right or not. Please tell me and ask for your guidance.”

Zhu Yijun pointed his finger at Yang Jinshui and said, “You go ahead.”

“Your Majesty talked about productivity and production relations two days ago, and I have been trying to understand it. Productivity is the ability of people to use means of production to carry out production activities, and it is also the ability to create wealth.

Production relations are how people possess, control and use the means of production, and how they distribute the wealth produced.

These two words are difficult and obscure. I seem to have understood them, but I haven’t understood them thoroughly. Today, after reading Lord Hai’s memorial, I suddenly understood them.”

Zhu Yijun said calmly: “Then tell me about your enlightenment.”

“Your Majesty, four old gentlemen, I believe that what Lord Hai has done in Jiangnan, from an economic point of view, is to change the production relations in Jiangnan to adapt to the rapid development of productivity in Jiangnan.

These wealthy and powerful families in Jiangnan not only annexed land, but also imprisoned the population, forcing hundreds of thousands of people to work like slaves for them and become tenants for generations.

The emperor worked hard to develop industry and commerce and to find a new way out for the people of Ming. I have lived in the southeast before and I know the character of those aristocratic families.

They occupied the land, monopolized the cotton, silk cocoons and rice, and wished to take all the benefits in the world into their arms. Now they even wanted to block the livelihood that the emperor had found for the people.

From a political perspective, these ignorant traitors are too arrogant. Not only are they undermining the Ming Dynasty, they are also blocking the emperor’s path to making the country strong and the people rich.

What a bunch of ungrateful people! Don’t they know that the sky of the Ming Dynasty belongs to the emperor, and the land of the Ming Dynasty belongs to the emperor.

So I think that Lord Hai has done a great job in Jiangnan, and he has done a great job!”

Hu Zongxian and the other three looked at each other and admired in their hearts.

Good job Yang Jinshui!
Zhu Yijun pointed at Yang Jinshui and said, “Jinshui, that’s why I always say that you study my lessons most attentively and understand them most thoroughly.”

When Hu Zongxian and the other three heard this, they knew that the emperor was referring to them, so Hu Zongxian, Zhao Zhenji and Tan Lun couldn’t help but look at Zhang Juzheng.

Prime Minister Zhang, regarding the affairs of Jiangnan, Hai Rui and the Jiangsu Provincial Surveillance Office were just a pair of knives. Now the aftermath is all the responsibility of the cabinet. Do you want to express your opinion?
Before Zhang Juzheng could speak, Zhu Yijun spoke first, “Mr. Hai has taken the blame for us in Jiangnan and cleared the way for us. I cannot let him down. The Imperial Household Department has drafted an edict. From now on, all the imperial estates must pay taxes according to the law. All entities such as businesses, companies, and factories affiliated with or holding shares of the Ministry of Households must pay taxes according to the regulations. The Ministry of Households will publish tax returns every six months.

Report to the Court of Justice again, the National Law and the Criminal Law have added clauses, the people of the Ming Dynasty, from the emperor to the common people, have two things in common, one is birth, aging, illness and death, the other is paying taxes according to the law. Those who evade taxes must be severely punished! The Taxation Bureau of the Ministry of Revenue must strengthen its construction and have the ability to strictly investigate and arrest those who dare to evade taxes! “

“According to the order!”

The emperor has set an example himself. Who would dare not pay taxes in the future?

Zhang Juzheng could no longer remain silent and said, “Your Majesty, I fully agree with what Mr. Hai has said in his memorial. When we return, I will ask the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Revenue, and the Ministry of Justice to discuss the emperor’s instructions and the four suggestions made by Mr. Hai, and draft the outline and details.

After the emperor’s approval, it will be carried out immediately.

Furthermore, I will send another note to the Taichang Temple to announce to the world the details of the trial of Lord Hai in Suzhou, profoundly exposing the various crimes of the local aristocratic families, including their crimes of treason, as well as the evil deeds of the literati and scholars who cheered for them, including aiding and abetting the tyrant.

To serve as a warning to others and to serve as a warning to future generations!”

Zhu Yijun nodded with satisfaction.

This is a matter of attitude.

Zhang Juzheng’s words, on the surface, reported the cabinet’s follow-up work, which was exactly what Zhu Yijun wanted. Secretly, he also made clear his attitude that he would not help his mentor Xu Jie and let him fend for himself.

This also means that he will be completely separated from the conservative forces of the Jiangnan families headed by Xu Jie.

now it’s right!

Historically, you had no choice but to rely on those people to support you in carrying out new policy reforms, only to be bitten back.

Now that I’m here, you don’t have to vote. Just implement your methods in a down-to-earth manner and implement the new policy reforms in a bold and resolute manner.

Zhu Yijun reminded Zhang Juzheng: “Master Zhang, I will approve Lord Hai’s memorial as soon as possible. The details of the cabinet’s follow-up should be finalized as soon as possible. Master Zhang and I will tour Luanzhou in the east in a while.”

“According to the order.”

Zhao Zhenji said on the side: “Your Majesty, the trial of Duke Hai in Suzhou shows that the judicial reform has begun to bear fruit. I implore you to strike while the iron is hot and further carry out judicial reform, learn from the experience and lessons of previous reforms, and improve the institutions and corresponding legal systems.”

“Master Zhao, you say!”

“I earnestly request that the Censorate be restored, divided into the Metropolitan Procuratorate and the Court of Justice, and directly manage the Dali Temple. The Metropolitan Procuratorate will continue to supervise and impeach, the Court of Justice will conduct prudent trials, and the Dali Temple will continue to review the law.”

Zhao Zhenji suggested restoring the Censorate because when Emperor Taizu first established the dynasty, the Secretariat was in charge of government affairs, the Grand Marshal’s Office was in charge of the military, and the Censorate was in charge of supervision and impeachment.

Later, the Secretariat and the left and right prime ministers were abolished, the Grand Marshal’s Office was divided into the Five Military Marshal’s Office, and the Censorate was changed to the Censorate.

Zhu Yijun nodded, “Master Zhao, this is a very good idea. It should be changed, and it must be changed. The central government has changed it, and the local governments should also make some changes. From now on, the provincial government will submit official documents directly to the cabinet, the provincial government will submit them directly to the Censorate, and the military government will submit them directly to the military government.”

Wow, the responsibilities of the three departments, the central and local, are clearly defined, and the three lines are clear.

Zhang Juzheng’s heart skipped a beat and he asked quickly, “Your Majesty, where is the governor?”

Zhu Yijun glanced at him and said firmly: “The memorials of the governors-general and provincial governors should be sent directly to the Advisory Bureau and the Imperial Household Department!”

Hu Zongxian and the other three looked at each other and said in unison: “I obey your order!”

Zhu Yijun picked up Hai Rui’s memorial and said, “Mr. Hai must have gone to Huating to preside over the confiscation and inventory of the Xu family. I heard that Xu Jie’s eldest grandson Xu Yuanchun rushed back to Huating overnight and hurriedly bought land and returned it to the Xu family ancestral temple as charity land for the family.

If I had known this would happen, why did I do it in the first place?
Let’s put it this way, Jinshui.”

“The servant is here.”

“The inner treasury will provide money to buy 500 acres of paddy fields for the Xu clan. Master Zhang.”

“The minister is here.”

“You take the lead and gather some money with the students to buy some paddy fields for the charity land of our teacher’s clan.”

“The minister obeys the order!”

Li Chun reported outside at this time.

“Your Majesty, urgent military report.”

Zhu Yijun was stunned.

Whoever doesn’t have eyes comes over here to get beaten?
(End of this chapter)