Bu Zheng Fang, Lin Mansion.

lobby.

Zhang Ji, the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, looked at Lin Ruhai and sighed: "Ruhai, now because of the recovery of the deficit, the hearts of hundreds of officials in the imperial court are really confused and miserable! I don't know how many officials went to the Yamen of the Ministry of Personnel to cry out in one day.

They have received another demand document from the Ministry of Household Affairs, and they can hardly bear it anymore. If this continues, there will be problems in the operation of the court."

Lin Ruhai looked at this Tianguan, who was the same age as him but only ranked 69th in the second grade, smiled slightly and said: "Shangzhi, it won't stop there."

Zhang Ji was appointed as the chief of the Ministry of Personnel at the beginning of the year. Later, because of his good writing of Qing Ci, he was appreciated by the Supreme Emperor and was promoted to the Ministry of Personnel. He was again appointed as the doctor of the Selected Works Department of the Ministry of Personnel, and succeeded him as the censor of Youqiandu. Finally, he was promoted from the position of Zuoshilang of the Ministry of Personnel to the position of Minister of Personnel.

Shangshu.

As for the prosperity of officials, not to mention Lin Ruhai, the most popular person, even the number one scholar at that time was not as good as this person.

However, Zhang Ji himself knew that if the Supreme Emperor had been in power for five more years, he would have entered the army long ago.

He is not only good at writing Qing Ci, he is also eloquent, agile in writing, and extraordinary in appearance. When he was appointed as the censor of Youqiandu, he often spoke outspokenly and was highly praised by everyone.

It's a pity that because he is Jing Chaoyun's most loyal confidant, he is destined to never be able to become the Prime Minister again.

No one knows how long this position of Heavenly Official in the Ministry of Civil Affairs will last...

Therefore, when facing Lin Ruhai, a subordinate official, he treated her as an equal.

Seeing that Lin Ruhai didn't believe it, Zhang Ji said earnestly: "Ruhai, don't think about it. Most of the officials in the capital are poor and not as rich as the local rich. Apart from collecting a little ice and carbon toast throughout the year, what else can they eat?"

In recent years, the imperial court used spices as silver to pay out salaries. It was okay at first, but later the spices became widespread and worthless! Just like that, the imperial court owed the capital officials an unknown amount..."

Lin Ruhai smiled lightly and said: "Isn't it because the imperial court can't issue salary money because the treasury has been borrowed? Why do you rely on the imperial court?"

Zhang Ji heard this and saw that Lin Ruhai couldn't explain his life or death. He frowned slightly and said, "Ruhai, do you know how many officials have submitted letters to the Ministry of Personnel these days, asking for employment?"

According to the law, when officials of the fourth rank or above take office, they need to submit a letter to the Emperor of Heaven. However, for officials below the fourth rank, they can be approved directly by the Ministry of Personnel.

Lin Ruhai heard this and asked curiously: "Tianguan, if you return to your hometown after becoming an official, don't you have to pay back the shortfall?"

When Zhang Ji heard this, he clapped his hands and said: "Ruhai! It's true that all those officials have quit their jobs. Can the imperial court be sustained by just you and me? The key is that the officials in the capital are all poor officials. You let them take the money?"

What to pay back?"

Lin Ruhai laughed and said: "Shang Zhi, I am not from the capital, nor have I lived in the capital for a long time. I have stayed in Yangzhou Mansion for thirteen years. Are you telling me that all the officials in the capital are poor officials?"

When Zhang Ji heard this, his expression changed slightly and he said: "This..."

Lin Ruhai said softly: "It is said that gold promotes people and silver promotes scholars. Often, after passing the examination, you can collect and donate land in the countryside and collect land rent. Of course, after the founding of the country for a long time, it is not so easy to collect donations now. But

No matter what, for a person who serves as a capital official at the feet of the emperor in the capital, his family will not be short of land donations in the countryside. Who is not a big landowner behind his back?"

Even in Jia Qiang's previous life, there were a huge number of undergraduates, but the national penetration rate was actually less than 4%.

The weight of the people in this era is far beyond that of a small book, and the number is hundreds of times rarer.

Out of 10,000 common people, not even one person may be able to succeed.

Out of a hundred thousand common people, there may not be a single official in the capital who has the best academic qualifications to become an official.

Unless you are a poor Hanlin like those in the Hanlin Academy who are not allowed to collect farm property from their families in order to support their hopes, they are really so poor that they cannot even afford meat.

Otherwise, Beijing officials would never be as poor as Zhang Ji said.

Seeing that Lin Ruhai refused to listen to her good words and refused to accept any good words, Zhang Ji's expression also turned gloomy. He looked at Lin Ruhai and said: "Ruhai, we are of the same age. I came here today with good intentions. I am

I don’t want to see you become a public enemy of Shilin step by step! Ruhai, the court is not very short of money now, is it? You have already recovered more than one million taels. Furthermore, the emperor raided the Wu family of the Internal Affairs Department and raided it.

With tens of millions of assets, the Ministry of Internal Affairs is suddenly full. Why bother forcing officials to pay back the money early? Why not give them a few years to pay back slowly? "

Lin Ruhai smiled and said: "Brother Shang Zhi is in the position of a heavenly official. I deeply admire him for being able to think about all the officials like this. What do you think of this? How about Brother Shang Zhi write these suggestions into a book and send them to the palace for the Emperor to

Decision. If the emperor listens to Brother Shang Zhi’s advice and decides to postpone the recovery, then I will never force it!"

"you……"

Zhang Ji saw that it was really difficult to change his ambition, so he stood up, shook his sleeves and was about to leave.

Lin Ruhai changed his attitude and said with a smile: "Hey! Brother Shang Zhi, don't get angry, don't get angry! You and I have been in the same year for many years. Now that Brother Shang Zhi has come forward in person and what you said makes sense, what do you think?

We, each, will take a step back and make a compromise!"

Zhang Ji hurriedly asked: "How do we each take a step back, how do we compromise?"

Lin Ruhai became solemn again and said slowly: "What Brother Shang Zhi said makes sense. It is indeed a bit overwhelming to ask them to pay off all the debt they have owed over the years at once. If they are forced too hastily, it will easily lead to turmoil. Furthermore,

, with Brother Shang Zhi coming forward, I will give this face no matter what. In this way, Brother Shang Zhi gave me a list. The people on this list can temporarily repay 70%, and the remaining 30% will be used when the next year is better.

, pay it back. Brother Shang Zhi, your face is worth millions of taels of silver..."

Zhang Ji was shocked when he heard this, but he was still a little confused immediately: "Ruhai, look, can you pay back 30% first, and the remaining 70%, and pay it off in three years, like this..."

Lin Ruhai shook his head repeatedly and said: "Brother Shang Zhi, you have to understand that it is not me, Lin, who wants this money, but the money for the court. For this 30% concession, I still have to go to the palace to kneel down and ask the emperor for permission, and I am barely 50% sure.

.As for 70%... Do you think it's impossible? Brother Shangzhi, don't think that you are rich just because you have a lot of money in your inner treasury. Could it be that Brother Shangzhi didn't read the newspaper? This spring, there are five provinces in total.

There is not a drop of rain falling in this land! Last year's flooded land has turned into a severe drought this year. If it is true that thousands of miles of red soil cannot be harvested in five provinces, then tens of millions of taels of silver, even if it is not a drop in the bucket, is far from enough! Sure enough,

At that time, those who have not repaid the shortfall may have their homes confiscated and their heads lost! So..."

Zhang Ji's face changed after hearing this, and he finally gritted his teeth and said: "Ruhai, I can only afford to pay back 50% at most! I will make a list, and all the officials on the list will pay back 50% of their deficit first! The remaining 50% will be divided into three years.

Pay it off. This is the maximum bottom line that I can agree to. If Ruhai cannot agree, there is nothing I can do."

When Lin Ruhai heard this, his face was extremely solemn, and he said slowly: "Fifty percent, I can't guarantee it... If we collect it at 50%, I'm afraid I won't be able to present it in front of the emperor afterwards. Sure enough, there is a severe drought in the five provinces, and the household department has insufficient money.

, I am afraid that I will have to bear a heavy responsibility..."

Zhang Ji hurriedly said: "Hey, although the celestial phenomena of the five provinces have changed, it may not be impossible to wait for the spring thunder! I don't believe that our Dayan National Games will be so difficult. I firmly believe that at most one or two provinces will be in trouble. How can it be?

Is there a reason why five provinces have the same drought? Like the sea, for this 50%, I also want to go down and have a large number of people to persuade them. Those who should sell their houses should sell their houses, those who should be sellers should be sellers, and those who should sell their ancestral land should sell their ancestral land.

.The recovery of the deficit is originally a matter of the Ministry of Revenue. I, the Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, have helped you share a share of the responsibility. Like the sea, in front of the emperor, you should bear an extra share of the responsibility. However, you still have to be careful.

The sum total of the people I guaranteed is less than 40% of the officials who owe money. They can pay back, but others may not. I have heard some rumors, and some people would rather die than pay back..."

Lin Ruhai's expression froze when he heard this. In Zhang Ji's position, the so-called rumors he heard were probably true.

If someone really fights to the death, it will be really troublesome.

After Zhang Ji handed over a list on the spot, Lin Ruhai silently read it over and then burned it in front of Zhang Ji.

Zhang Ji said with admiration: "Brother Ruhai, I really admire your ability to have a photographic memory! You are not as good as you were back then... It's just that you are not in good health, so I won't delay any more, so I will leave first and you should rest early."

.”

Lin Ruhai held up a cane and wanted to see him off, but was persuaded by Zhang Ji and had to watch him leave.

After Zhang Ji left, Aunt Mei came in, and Lin Ruhai said softly: "Practice ink."

Aunt Mei was busy pouring water and studying ink, while Lin Ruhai stood beside the desk and took a pen to rewrite the list she had just written down, word for word.

If the officials on this list can really repay 50% of the deficit, then...

The bottom line of the mission assigned to him by Emperor Long An is actually not far behind...

However, you definitely can't relax.

I hope the severe drought in the five provinces as written in the newspaper can be alleviated, otherwise...

well!

…

Ningguo Mansion, Ning'an Hall.

Jia Qiang looked at the five people in front of her and said with a smile, "Why are you here?"

The visitors were none other than Hua'an, the young prince of the Huai'an House who had collaborated with Jia Qiang in the barbecue business, Xingyuan, the prince of the Huaiyuan House, Ye Shun of the Jingning House, Zhang Liang of the Jingchuan House, and Dingyuan House.

Zhou Wu.

The five people originally cooperated with Jia Qiang for the benefit of barbecue.

Six months after Jia Qiang left Beijing, the interest they distributed to the Sands Gang was reduced by 90%.

Not bad, it’s still about 10%.

After Jia Qiang returned to Beijing, the five families had been pretending not to know. They sent people to ask for the yellow sheep last night. Today, the Huai'an Marquis Mansion sent the sheep, and the five people finally showed up...

There was no trace of shame on the faces of the five of them. The prince of Huai'an, Hua An, raised his hands and said: "Tsk, tsk, who would have thought that when we meet again, Brother Qiang, you will become the Marquis... By the way, we can still call you Brother Qiang."

Son? Otherwise, let’s call him Ninghou?”

Jia Qiang laughed and said: "When I was young, you didn't think I was poor or lowly, but condescended to me, and made friends with me, and we ran a barbecue business together. How come you can't call me close now?"

Xingyuan, the prince of Huaiyuan Hou, was a more down-to-earth person. When he heard that Jia Qiang took the initiative to mention the barbecue business, he scratched the back of his head and said with a dry smile: "Brother Qiang, about the barbecue business, later..."

Jia Qiang waved her hand and said with a smile: "It's just a trick, and I have already taken advantage of you. If you keep letting me take advantage of you, then I will think you are fools!"

"Hahaha!"

When the five people heard this, their guilt and some grudges were instantly wiped away, and they laughed together.

Even if this incident is over, everyone feels much more comfortable!

The five of them are considered unique among the Yuanping heroes.
To be continued...