Chapter 400: Inside and Outside the Court (Part 1)

It was dawn and the rain had stopped. The rumbling drums began to sound over Chang'an. The drum sound meant that a great dynasty would be held today. Today's great dynasty was decided three days ago and all officials above the seventh rank in Beijing had been notified. This was also the first official dynasty meeting in more than half a month since Zhang Huan ascended the throne, and it was of extraordinary significance.

Shortly after the drum sounded, carriages for court began to appear on all streets. Han Huan, the Minister of Revenue, almost went out with the drum sound. He knew a little about the content of today's court meeting. The most important thing was to decide the new prime minister system.

The mansion of Han Huan is located in Anyefang. After the door is Zhuque Street. There are carriages flowing on Zhuque Street. Most of them are officials who attend court, and some are businessmen or civilians who do business.

Han Huan's carriage was driving slowly on Zhuque Street. From time to time, a carriage stopped to give way to him. "Shangshu Han!" The curtain of a carriage opened, revealing the smile of an official. Han Huan nodded slightly, counting as a return gift.

When they arrived in front of the Daming Palace, there were more carriages, but the entourage guards were not allowed to enter the Danfeng Gate again, which made the Danfeng Gate very crowded. Many officials got off the carriage and walked in directly.

Han Huan waited for a while, and saw that the front was still motionless, so he opened the curtain and said to the guard: "You guys go back! I'll go in."

He got off the carriage and soon walked into Danfeng Gate. Danfeng Gate Square was full of officials in groups of three or three. They were speculating with each other about major events that might happen today.

"Shangshu Han!" Zheng Pu, the young minister of the Honglu Temple, saw Han Huan coming, hurriedly greeted him. His father had been the chief minister of Yuhang County, and Han Huan was the governor at that time. The relationship between the two families was very good. Five or six officials followed behind him. Everyone knew that Han Huan was one of the most trusted officials of the emperor. From him, he might know the future trend of the court.

Zheng Pu stepped forward and gave a deep bow, "See Shangshu Han!" Several young junior officials behind also stepped forward to salute. Han Huan waved his hand and smiled, "Everyone is here early. This is very good. Only by being diligent can you revive the country. I hope you will continue to maintain it."

"Shangshu Han, what big thing will happen in the dynasty today? Can you reveal one or two?" Zheng Pu and other officials agreed one after another, "Yes, Shangshu Han will reveal one or two to us!"

At this time, more than a dozen people surrounded him, stretched their necks and looked at the Shangshu with a long eye. Han Huan smiled slightly and said, "Your Majesty is preparing to raise salaries for middle and lower-level officials. This is good news!"

As soon as he finished speaking, several young officials couldn't help cheering. The annual salary of officials in the Tang Dynasty was 18. In the Kaiyuan period, the first-rank high-ranking officials could receive 31 jin a month, and there were 700 jin a month at the end of the year. However, from the ninth-rank small officials, the monthly salary was less than 2 jin a month, and at the end of the year, there were 52 jin a month. In the past few decades, the salary of officials' money increased slightly, but the problem was that in the Kaiyuan period, the rice was only 150 jin a month, and last year it was even six or seven hundred jin a month. The high-ranking officials had a strong family and might not feel anything, but the middle and lower-level officials were living a life of sluggish.

He is extremely powerful. Although there are some land subsidies, there are old people and young people. People in the family or wives and concubines come to ask for help. We have to help you with your face! There are also common human relationships, officialdom management at the end of the year, and there is no need for money. In this way, the money is obviously catching. In the past few years, Pei Jun was in power and the court was at the most financially sturdy. He thanked God for being able to pay on time. How could he expect a raise? Therefore, the new emperor ascended the throne and everyone hoped for the most was a raise. What's more, Zhang Huan had really made a lot of money in the past few months, and Zuo Zang was full, so the opportunity to raise the salary was ripe.

Han Huan is the Minister of Revenue, who is in charge of the finances of the Tang Dynasty. If he has news to be released, how can everyone not be interested? Soon, more and more officials were surrounded, with two or three hundred people. Even some fourth-rank officials came together. Seeing that everyone was concerned about the salary increase, Han Huan coughed softly and said loudly: "This salary increase is limited to the fifth-rank. Your Majesty considers your family background, so the range will not be small, but Your Majesty hopes that the court can set off a trend of diligence and thrift. Now the expenses in the palace are the lowest since the founding of the Tang Dynasty, and it is less than half of the time when Empress Cui. Everyone has seen that the eunuchs and palace maids in the palace have combined less than three or five. Even our Empress gave up their salary voluntarily, with only one car and three or five servants. Everyone, Your Majesty and the Queen can set an example. I hope everyone should be strict with themselves and not let His Majesty's hard work be wasted."

Han Huan's words caused a buzz among all officials. Although salary increases are welcome, but the reduction of expenses is often accompanied by the layoffs of redundant officials. Everyone knows that there are too many officials in the court. Since the expansion of the door-sharing system five years ago, officials in the court's offices have expanded rapidly, especially in middle and low-level positions. There are often two or three officials in one position. This is just a official official, as well as a scattered official, idle official, pension official, etc. Not to mention anything else, the prince has not been enthroned, but there are more than 200 officials in the Eastern Palace, who do nothing all day long, and officials from various royal palaces have ranks and need to be supported by finance. But now the emperor has only five or six concubines and less than three hundred palace servants. Therefore, although Han Huan did not say it clearly, his implication is very clear. Since the emperor wants to set an example, it means that the rectification of officials is about to begin.

Just when Han Huan was applying carrots and sticks to many young officials, Zhang Huan was receiving Cui Yu's urgent request for a visit in the inner palace of Hanyuan Palace. Cui Yu thought for a whole night and finally understood why his elder brother wanted him to resign from the position of left prime minister. Zhang Huan demoted Pei You's right prime minister not because he wanted to attack the Pei family, but because this right prime minister hindered his system layout. He did not want to be alone, but wanted all prime ministers. Therefore, after demoting the right prime minister, he appointed Pei You as the most important position of Shangshu, the Minister of Personnel, and retained his qualification as prime minister. What about himself? This left prime minister also hindered the implementation of the system of general prime ministers. Instead of being relieved by Zhang Huan, it would be better to resign voluntarily.

"I absolutely agree with Your Majesty's idea. You must not hold political affairs in your hands. In order to cooperate with Your Majesty's innovation, I am willing to resign from the position of left prime minister."

Zhang Huan didn't say anything for a long time. He knew that this must be Cui Yuan's meaning. Only Cui Yuan could see through his layout. However, Cui Yu said it too directly, so he couldn't get out of the stage for a while. But this would be fine, so he would save himself from trouble for him. Zhang Huan suddenly smiled faintly and said, "Since Cui Aiqing understands my good intentions, I will fulfill my wishes."

He picked up today's agenda for the court meeting and added a line of words at the end. At this time, the bell for the court had already ringed, and an eunuch walked quickly to report: "Your Majesty, it's time to go."

Zhang Huan put down his pen and then stood up and said to Cui Yu: "Cui Aiqing, I admire your simple integrity very much. Although there will be no official title of Zuo Prime Minister in the future, I will still let you be in charge of the province and be the prime minister."

"I thank Your Majesty for your kindness!"

Zhang Huan smiled and turned toward the hall, but Cui Yu's face was gloomy and gloomy. Seeing that the emperor was about to go away, he suddenly plucked up the courage to shout: "Your Majesty, the assassination of the Zhang Mansion was not done by the Cui family."

"What were you saying?" Zhang Huan stopped a little over a dozen steps away. His eyes slowly narrowed, and he didn't look back. He just said coldly: "I don't understand what you are saying?"

Cui Yu knelt down and said sadly: "Your Majesty! I am willing to swear with the reputation of the ancestors of the Cui family. This is indeed not what our Cui family does."

"I have never said that it was your Cui family who did it."

Zhang Huan's heart was also shaken by Cui Yu's poisonous oath. He slowly turned around and said without saying a word: "Is this Cui Yuan's words, or what you mean?"

When Cui Yu saw that Zhang Huan was in a hurry to go to court, he knew that the fact had turned aside, so he immediately hit the railway while it was hot: "Report to Your Majesty, this is also the intention of our head of the family. He has ordered people to find out the matter and will never let the real murderer's plan to make the blame successful."

"Okay, I'll wait for your investigation report." Zhang Huan said a word and quickly left.

In Hanyuan Hall, there were half a hall full of black officials. There were two or three thousand officials above the seventh rank, and many were local officials who came to Beijing to do business. They also attended the court meeting at the right time. Just now, Han Huan's hint had spread to all officials, and everyone was mixed with joy and sorrow. I wonder if the soon-to-be-revolutionary rectification would affect their own heads.

"Your Majesty is here!" The eunuch on duty shouted, and the Hanyuan Palace immediately became quiet. Soon, eight eunuchs came in one after another with golden plates, and sixteen palace maids and eunuchs appeared on the jade steps surrounded by Zhang Huan. Cui Yu had also quietly entered the train from another side door. Pei You had been paying attention to him. Seeing him coming in from the side hall, he seemed to have some insight in his eyes.

Zhang Huan sat in the dragon seat, waved his hand gently and said, "Start the court!"

"Your Majesty has an order to open the court!"

Thousands of people bowed together and saluted with great momentum. "I will meet His Majesty the Emperor, wishing me long live my emperor, long live!"

"All my dear friends!"

"Thank you Your Majesty!" After the officials' courtesy, Zhang Huan said to everyone loudly: "Before discussing the matter, I will first ask you all to meet a few people."

The hall was silent, and many people looked out the hall, wondering who the emperor wanted them to see.
Chapter completed!