The next morning, Xiaochao was led by the Duke of Wei, Xu Wenjue, and Zhou Shixian only attended the class.

He had a firm view in his heart and had nothing to say at the court meeting, so he was calm and listened to other ministers and Chongzhen talking about things one by one.

Because the emperor has never explained the list of cabinets, the recent government affairs have been operating without cabinet ministers. Although everyone is a little murmur in their hearts, no one dares to ask, otherwise it will make people feel that they have inappropriate thoughts.

Although there is no cabinet, the six ministries gradually divided the main and secondary levels. Every court meeting, the Minister of War Shi Kefa, Minister of Revenue Ni Yuanlu and Minister of Personnel Gao Hongtu, who are the vaguely small cabinet.

Zhou Shixian thought, it was no wonder. After all, one in charge of soldiers, one in charge of officials, and the other in charge of money is the top priority in the current situation. As for the rituals and punishments, they have to go a little further.

Among the things I want to pay attention to today, one is related to both military and money.

"I plan to pay the military pay for the troops garrison in Jiangbei according to the Beijing standard, and each soldier will be paid 18 taels per year." Lu Daqi held the memorial in his hand and said while looking, "Huang Degong's army will give 50,000 troops, Gao Jie's army will give 50,000 troops, Liu Zeqing's army will give 40,000 troops, and Liu Liangzuo's army will give 40,000 troops, totaling 180,000 troops, and an annual salary of 3.24 million taels."

Zhou Shixian felt a headache when he heard this. The bosses of the Ministry of War wanted to win over the four troops in Jiangbei and rely on them to resist Li Zicheng's southward journey. They were in a clear mood, but the specific approach was really not satisfactory.

The annual salary standard is paid according to the Beijing standard, but the number of soldiers is too wide, and they don’t care about all the blunt and abuse. The amount of others will be the same. How can this be done?

The same thing is said, the court should treat soldiers at this time with leniency and severity, and be kind and powerful. We must not just please and ask for it, otherwise it will only backfire and make people arrogant and call you a fool in your heart.

Chongzhen frowned, probably because he had the same feeling, or he just felt sorry for money, and did not answer for a while, and looked at Zhou Shixian intentionally or unintentionally.

Zhou Shixian's central army governor's office only led the Jing camp and garrison in the south, and did not control the garrison in Jiangbei. These things were originally the authority of the Ministry of War, so he was not inconvenient to blame him, so he looked at Ni Yuanlu with his eyes and encouraged him to stand up.

Seeing Zhou Shixian looking at him and shook his head slightly, Ni Yuanlu already understood what he meant.

"The Ministry of Revenue has no money!" Ni Yuanlu said loudly, "It is difficult to support such a large amount!"

Chongzhen seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and nodded and said, "The Ministry of Revenue has difficulties. The Ministry of War will discuss this number again to see where to reduce it a little."

The ministers were submissive and received the order. Even if this matter was just perfunctory and dispersed, Zhou Shixian and everyone walked out of the left passage of the palace, but were stopped by Wen Si'an, the eunuch who went to the Governor's Office to send Hongye to the last time.

"There is an imperial decree," he said in the voice of the duck, "I admire Zhou Shixian for wine and food."

Zhou Shixian stood up with gratitude, and the ministers who were avoiding the side knew that this was the royal family business. Perhaps the princess and the prince consort had something to say, and they smiled and felt interesting in their hearts.

Zhou Shixian followed Wen Si'an through the two halls of the palace and arrived at the gate of the inner palace. Wang Cheng'en had already been waiting here. Wen Si'an bowed and bowed and retreated.

"Prince Concubine, please come with me."

Wang Chengen took Zhou Shixian through the hall and stopped at the entrance of a large study room.

"Your Majesty, Zhou Shixian will meet you."

"No gift, come in."

Zhou Shixian entered the room and saw Chongzhen sitting behind the table waiting for him. Wang Chengen left the room and guarded at the door.

"The queen said that Hongye brought it to you." Chongzhen smiled, as if he thought it was very interesting, "I, my niece, are you quite capable."

"Yes." Zhou Shixian took out the letter from his sleeve and presented it to him, "Your Majesty, this is the secret sent by Li Banghua from Huai'an."

Chongzhen's expression changed. He took the letter and read it for a while before he put it down. His chest was undulating, and he seemed to be extremely angry.

"So, the matter started in Huzui, Huai'an, and then went to the Wanxiu Garden." Chongzhen's voice was a little hoarse, "Is Fufan so anxious to sit in my position?"

"Your Majesty, your anger is easy to hurt your liver. Please take care of the dragon body." Zhou Shixian said calmly before he said, "At that time, the information was unknown, and rumors were flying all over the sky. It was not surprising that several relatives discussed the safety of the country in the garden."

He was talking about the Fufan, but Zhou Shixian was talking about several relatives. Chongzhen keenly heard the difference.

"What, can they dare to discuss it?" Chongzhen said with a pale face, "Which are they?"

"There are also princes of King Lu, King Chong and King Zhou in Wanxiu Garden. There are ignorant villains outside, and random arrangements to talk about the rebellion of the Four Kings."

Is the Four Kings Rebellion? Chongzhen took a few breaths.

"However, in my opinion, the affairs in Wanxiu Garden are not the current urgent task." Zhou Shixian said, "If it were not for Liu Zeqing's soldiers, Lu Jiude alone would not be able to make any waves."

"Yes, Liu Zeqing is the culprit!" Chongzhen's idea was pulled back, "It's ridiculous that the Ministry of War is still discussing his military pay today, and I also want to pay him 720,000 taels of silver a year."

"I think that your Majesty doesn't have to give him one or two taels of silver in the future," said Zhou Shixian. "Liu Zeqing's subordinates are in a civil turmoil, and it is the best time to cut him off!"

"Oh?" Chongzhen leaned forward and asked excitedly, "Is the news true?"

"He imprisoned Liu Konghe, deputy general of Shandong," Zhou Shixian reported, "Liu Konghe's wife went to Beijing in person and is now in the minister's house."

From here, I carefully explained the situation in Huai'an Prefecture from beginning to end.

"Have you trained your troops?"

"It will take some time to train it." Zhou Shixian said honestly, "But the soldiers of the government cannot be deprived of His Majesty's treasury. Now that there is something wrong in the court, the soldiers of the government should be the front drive."

"good!"

Chongzhen liked to hear such words the most and couldn't help but be overjoyed. After the joy, he couldn't help but hesitate again, because if even the prince-consort was lost, he would have nothing to rely on.

"Shixian, Liu Zeqing's troops are also quite vicious. If you are not sure, I can tolerate him for a while." Chongzhen said worriedly, "If he asks for salary, I will let Ni Yuanlu send him for three months first."

"Your Majesty, please rest assured. Although the army of the government is short of a military force, it is enough to deal with a clown like Liu Zeqing."

"Okay!" Chongzhen was overjoyed again, "What do you want? By the way, I want Shangfang's sword!"

Zhou Shixian saw that he wanted to call Wang Chengen, and he was a little amused and said, "If I took the Shangfang sword, would Liu Zeqing obediently ask me to chop his head?"

Besides, it seems that no one who has ended up thanking you for the Sword of Shangfang.
Chapter completed!