Xue Tingxiang went to the household department, and after familiarizing himself with the environment, he devoted himself to his daily functions.
The household department is in charge of the entire Dachang territory, fields, taxes, household registration, official salaries, and all financial matters. Under it, there were 14 Qing officials in each province, and there were exclusive yamen in charge of money casting, treasury storage, storage, salt and water services.
Among the six ministries, the one with the most officials, is also the one with the heaviest burdens and the busiest.
It is not uncommon to go to the Ministry of Household every year to account for the state treasury revenue and expenditure, as well as the two seasons of grain collection, tax and silver escort, and official salaries.
Because Shang Shu Yang Chonghua also served as the second assistant, the burden of the left and right servants was particularly heavy, and he had to take care of everything below.
But the Ministry of Household is different from others, and it has been involved in too many aspects, which requires Xue Tingxiang to have an in-depth understanding in order to understand the doorway.
Recently, Xue Tingxiang has been busy reading the fish scale book, the yellow book, the income and expenditure of the provinces in recent years, and the documents related to the labor, water transportation, and salt affairs of the provinces.
These documents filled several rooms. Xue Tingxiang had to read all kinds of documents in addition to going to court and handling government affairs every day. No wonder he was so tired.
After roughly recounting the things that I have to do every day, Zhao'er was speechless, and couldn't help but feel a little distressed: "You didn't always tell me to know people and make good use of them, and use them without any doubt, why are you doing everything yourself now? You can Xiao Gui, Cao Sui, let the following handle the matter first, you can see it after a while, why do you have to force yourself so tight."
While they were talking, the two had already packed up, and Chunzhi and the others also brought their breakfast.
The two went to the second room for dinner, and Zhao'er also wanted to understand at this time.
"Do you want to do something?"
It really made Zhao'er guess again, Xue Tingxiang really planned to do something, so he was so concerned.
Seeing that he didn't speak, Zhao'er said while eating: "Although I don't know what the household department of the imperial court is like, Zuobut is just like our business. As long as the account book is controlled, the work will be complete. Even if it can't be done. Complete, that is, some corners and corners, it is definitely not enough to point at you alone, you have to get a few reassuring accountants."
In fact, Zhao'er was to give him an analogy, but he found some ideas for Xue Tingxiang.
After eating in a hurry, Xue Tingxiang put on his official robe and went to court, while Zhao'er went to sleep and went back to sleep.
After the court, Xue Tingxiang returned to the Ministry of Housing.
He, the deputy court official, came by air, and he was also in the Ministry of Household, causing a lot of heated discussions.
Later, when I saw that he was less in charge, he was more energetic than those dead things all day long. In the eyes of others, his behavior is either a person who likes to take power, or a big fool.
The latter is definitely impossible, and the former also has Shangshu Yang Chonghua, and left servant Peng Junyi, no matter how he is, no one cares too much about him over time.
However, everyone knew that he was His Majesty's favorite, but they were all willing to give him a little face.
Because of this, he entered the household from the outside, and there were greetings from 'Master Xue' along the way. He nodded in return and entered his own duty room.
When he came to the desk, there were several thick booklets stacked on it. After he sat down, he continued to study hard.
…
Peng Junyi, the left servant of the Ministry of Household, went down to the court and did not return to the Ministry of Household, but went to the cabinet lobby.
These ministers are also on the errands of cabinet ministers. Usually, there are few ministers who go back to the government, and there are many in the cabinet. It is inevitable that the deputy ministers of the various departments will come to discuss the affairs of the department, so everyone regards it as normal.
In the duty room, Peng Junyi said to Yang Chonghua, "Recently, Mr. Xue has consulted the fish scale books and yellow books of various provinces, as well as documents such as provincial labor and water transportation, which are so extensive that it is difficult for people to guess what he wants to do."
Yang Chonghua is about sixty years old, with a thin face and a long beard. There are deep folds with a mountain-shaped pattern between his eyebrows, and he looks like a restrained and serious person.
In fact, this is indeed the case. Yang Chonghua has a very good evaluation of stroke in the court. He has been in charge of the Ministry of Household for many years, and there are very few mistakes and omissions. In the early years, the treasury was empty, all pointing to his 'butler's way', in order to make Dachang run everywhere.
This time the position of the first assistant was vacant, everyone thought that he was going to take the position of the first assistant, and his voice was also the highest, but he was occupied by the old Tan Liang with the oldest qualifications, and he could only become the second assistant. There are countless officials who hold injustice for him, and he himself has always been flattered.
"You'd better keep an eye on it. With His Majesty's personality, putting this person in the Ministry of Accounts must have a purpose, and the purpose is not small. Although we all serve the court, we still know some things in advance, so as not to be caught off guard."
"Master Butang said that the lower official has ordered people to stare at him. If something happens, he will definitely come."
After that, the two talked about other matters of the Ministry of Household, and Peng Junyi left the cabinet.
The weather in the capital is late, but in April, the flowers are in full bloom.
At this time, all the houses and houses are lively, one house will hold a wine, and the other will hold a flower viewing banquet. After appreciating orchids, begonias, peonies, there are many names, which are dazzling.
In fact, it is a flower viewing party, but it is just a communication between some officials and ladies.
The circles of officials and wives are also divided into many circles, and the top ones are the female relatives of some princes, nobles and high-ranking officials.
Now Xue Tingxiang is also considered to be a newcomer in the DPRK. He is young and has a high official position. As his wife's recruit, he is naturally very popular.
It's just that Zhao'er doesn't like this trick, and he can't deal with these officials and wives, and he rarely goes out.
But she is not without friends, like Chen Jian's wife Xu, because the two men have a good relationship, the two female relatives inevitably have some contacts. And through the Xu family, Zhao'er also met some officials and wives.
Mrs. Xu is a typical lady of the family, knowledgeable and sensible, and quite proficient in literature and ink. After she and Chen Jian got married, they respected each other like guests, raised their eyebrows together, and the relationship was not bad.
She was pregnant with a daughter named Ruyue, one year older than Ningning.
On this day, the Xu family invited Zhao’er to come to the house as a guest, and Zhao’er brought Ning Ning with him. Xue Tingxiang just had a rest today, so he sent the mother and daughter to the Chen residence.
After arriving, he and Chen Jian talked in the front yard, while Zhao'er and Ning Ning came to the back house,
Usually Zhao'er sees Xu's gentle and quiet appearance, but when she arrives today, she sees annoyance on her face, as if someone had made her angry.
"What's wrong?" Zhao'er sat down opposite Xu.
Xu Shi shook his head and remained silent.
On the contrary, Ruyue said a little more, and seemed a little resentful: "It's the third aunt and the fourth aunt, they said that their mother took a lot of advantage of the Xu family, and now they are just here to borrow some money, so they pushed and blocked them, not treating them as sisters. But they have borrowed a lot of money from our family and haven't paid it back."
This-
Zhao'er was a little surprised.
Xu Shi hurriedly said: "Ruyue, why did my mother tell you, don't talk about family matters in front of outsiders." After she said it, she also realized that what she said was a bit wrong, and said: "You take Sister Ningning out to play, I'll talk to your aunt Zhao'er."
Ruyue obediently took Ningning down, and Xu Shi looked at Zhao'er with a wry smile and said, "Sister Zhao'er, don't be angry, I just..."
As she said that, she showed a look of embarrassment, a little hard to tell.
Zhao'er said indifferently: "It's okay, there's nothing wrong with anyone, you shouldn't say that. But if it's as Ruyue said, it's useless for you to be angry about this matter, you have to think of a way to solve it."
Xu Shi sighed, and then came to the truth.
The Xu family is a prominent family in Shandong and has deep roots in the local area. Like this kind of big family that has been inherited for many years, some collateral branches are particularly numerous.
Xu Shoufu is an old daughter of Xu Shoufu. When Xu Shoufu was born, Xu Shoufu was already in his sixtieth year, and it was considered a new flower of the iron tree, which made people speechless.
The Xu family had two older brothers and four older sisters, so naturally they were not born from the same mother. In fact, the Xu family is not a direct descendant, but was born to an old aunt of Xu Ge, and Mrs. Xu has been dead for many years.
The age disparity between the brothers and sisters is so great that several sisters are married, and the Xu family is very young.
It is worth mentioning that both of Xu Gelao's sons are mediocre. In addition to the complicated situation in the court, Xu Gelao has been able to trust Jiacheng Emperor for many years because he is not a party member and is not selfish.
Therefore, neither of Xu Gelao's two sons was an official in the court, but stayed in their hometown in Shandong.
However, the fact that the Xu family cannot be promoted does not mean that other people cannot be promoted. Like Xu Ge's old son-in-law, they can be regarded as outstanding talents. It's a pity that unlike Chen Jian who caught up with the good times and is indeed a talent, Xu Ge's focus slowly shifted to Chen Jian.
Now everyone outside knows that Chen Jian is Xu Gelao's successor. Although he is just an idle student, he does not dare to underestimate him.
On his head is a gentleman who is a patriarch, and the best peer has a high position. Chen Jian has taught several princes to read, and his future is limitless. People outside can only watch, and people inside will inevitably get jealous.
Among them are several of Xu's brother-in-law.
My brother-in-law has opinions, and my sister is naturally affected.
Especially since these elder sisters are all many years older than Xu, it is inevitable to put on the air of elder sisters like mothers in front of Xu.
As for the matter of borrowing money, it is also based on this kind of thinking.
Several sisters of the Xu family always felt that Chen Jian and his wife took advantage of the Xu family, but they did not take it. In addition, when the Xu family got married, the dowry was indeed richer than the sisters above. And Chen Jian was born in a poor family, and since he married the Xu family, his life has obviously become richer, and they inevitably feel that Chen Jian and his wife have evacuated the entire Xu family.
So obviously it's not that life can't go on, and there will always be some head-manager Xu to borrow money.
Once or twice, Xu shi also borrowed it secretly, but they all took care of her borrowing, and there was more than one person. Chen Jian's salary is not high, a five-rank official, how high a salary can be, in many cases, Xu's dowry is subsidized.
The family can save as much as they can to live, but now it's better, all the money saved has been borrowed, and it looks like you should lend me.
No wonder Xu Shi, who was always good-natured, was angry.
It's that she is thin-skinned, and if she is embarrassed to say it, she will only be angry with herself.
"Then, does Ah Jian know about this?" Zhao'er asked after listening.
Sure enough, Xu Shi shook his head.
In fact, who doesn't want to save face? How could Xu's be so embarrassed to mention it in front of her husband when her sister made such a thing.
It's hard to do like this. Zhao'er couldn't give any good ideas for a while, so he asked, "Then what are your plans?"
"I rejected them today, I hope they can be more interesting and don't come again in the future. In fact, my eldest sister and second sister are okay, just the third and fourth sisters..."
Alas, every family has a scripture that is difficult to read.
But this kind of thing is not easy to interject, so she can only comfort Xu since she has her own opinion.
At the same time, in the study in the front yard, Chen Jian and Xue Tingxiang were also talking.
"Ting Yan, do you really plan to do this? You have to know that once this matter is raised, you will become the target of public criticism."
"Of course I know. Ah Jian, don't you think that you will be relieved if you have disasters, as long as the court has money to subsidize it, it will be over? It's not like this! Have you ever thought that now there are several coastal areas open, and maritime trade is changing day by day. The new moon is full of vigor and vigour, and it has collected the world's business tax for the imperial court. The amount of money is as much as possible, the treasury is finally not empty, the army is paid, and the disaster relief silver is also available, the court is getting richer and richer, as if peace and prosperity are coming."
Xue Tingxiang said so many words in one breath, but suddenly stopped.
"Isn't that the case? Even if there are corrupt officials, the Wu faction has collapsed and half of it has been eradicated. Although there are maladministrations in the DPRK, the future is promising."
"Then have you ever thought about those ships of silk and porcelain, as well as the various goods produced by Dachang, which were shipped from Dachang and exchanged for silver in white flowers. Silver looks very pleasing, but behind it represents What does it mean?"
Xue Tingxiang stood up and said earnestly: "Weaving silk requires silk, silkworms spin silk only after eating mulberries, and mulberries can only be grown if there is land. Do you know how many people in Jiangnan changed to rice last year? For the sake of mulberry? How many people have abandoned agriculture to work? There is a saying among the people that Susong is ripe and the world is full, but in recent years, the grain output in Susong and even in Huguang has been decreasing year by year.
"Not only the common people have changed to mulberry, but the big families have also turned many fertile fields into mulberry orchards. They all think that they can buy food with money, but in fact, when they really need food, they may not be able to buy with money. Food. Like last year."
Hearing the last sentence, Chen Jian couldn't help shaking, and the tea cup in his hand was knocked over.
He didn't care about this, and said anxiously: "Then what do you mean? But, there is really no necessary connection between this. Could it be that the big families couldn't buy grain last year, because those big families deliberately stocked up grain and waited for the price, how could it be? Are you related to Kaifu?"
Xue Tingyan sighed, came to the desk, picked up a wolf's pen and drew a circle on the rice paper.
"The Emperor Taizu of the Ming Dynasty set a tax of more than 8 million hectares in the world, and levied 30 million shi of grain, so he decreed 'never afford a division'. Compared with the previous dynasties, I did not lose an inch of land in Dachang, but the grain levied increased every year. Young. Why is it getting smaller every year? Because those who are exempt from taxes are increasing year by year, how much is exempted for each scholar, and how much is exempted for each jinshi? There is only such a big cake in total, and the people who come to eat the cake The number of people is increasing, and now there is one more - Kaifu."
Therefore, it is not that Dachang has no food, but Dachang has food, but it is in the hands of a very small number of big households. The common people are envious of the price difference between changing rice to mulberry, so they will naturally pull out rice and plant mulberry trees, but the number of common people accounts for nearly 90% of the entire population of Dachang.
The imperial court could not control those big households, so it could only collect grain from the common people. The rice fields were changed into mulberry gardens, and the grain harvested was naturally less. Moreover, Dachang has always had such a rule. If the food is not enough, you can pay the same value in silver, so the food in the court's hands is also less.
If there is no disaster, then once there is a disaster, the people will only have money and no food, and they will have to starve to death.
The imperial court had no silver taels, no food for disaster relief, and could only face the chaos below.
"According to this, the court opened the Fu wrongly?"
Xue Tingxiang shook his head: "Of course not."
Kaifu is naturally good. It can not only export Dachang's excess, but also solve the problem of people's excess labor, so that those people who have no fields can support their families.
In fact, the problem still lies at the core of the land. The merger of land is too serious. Of course there are other reasons, but in the final analysis it is the land.
This is also the main reason why Xue Tingxiang wants to poke the hornet's nest.
Precisely, this is what Emperor Jiacheng wants to see, and this is the reason why he put Xue Tingxiang in the Ministry of Housing.