Palace of Heavenly Purity.
The three elders returned to the palace.
Only then did he realize that they had planned to ask Zhu Houzhao for the copper mine north of Langshan.
However, after hearing those three suggestions, he was shocked.
Zhu Houzhao's suggestion had filled the minds of the Pavilion Elders, and they had completely forgotten about the matter of the copper mine.
Of course, the elders also knew that it would be a waste to go back now.
The Crown Prince's performance back then, now that he thought about it, he had no intention of giving it to her at all.
However, although he did not get the copper mine, he was able to obtain these three suggestions.
The three elders were overjoyed.
It was a whip technique named by the Crown Prince.
It could be said to be a simple way to gather all kinds of taxes into one, a whip worthy of its name.
As for the strategy of cutting down the vassals, it was even more important to the cabinet.
The only thing that made them hesitate was the business tax.
Even if the ancestral teachings were set aside and ignored.
However, how could he explain this matter of competing with the people?
Moreover, there were still many officials and royal relatives involved.
Just as the three Pavilion Elders were about to suggest Emperor Hongzhi to find a place to test out a whip technique.
Emperor Hongzhi, who was sitting on the dragon throne, made a decision in front of everyone.
He would start with the seemingly easiest business tax.
When the three elders of the palace heard this, their expressions changed and they stood up to remonstrate.
However, before he could even begin.
Outside the hall, a young eunuch suddenly ran in and knelt on the ground to report,"
"Reporting to the emperor, the six ministers request an audience.”
Emperor Hongzhi was stunned when he heard this, and the three cabinet elders also revealed suspicious expressions.
He didn't understand why the six ministers were meeting him at the same time.
"Announce!"
The young eunuch stood up and walked out of the hall. Soon, the six ministers entered the hall and bowed.
The Minister of Revenue, Wang Yan, stepped forward and reported loudly.
"Reporting to the emperor, South Zhili has sent an urgent report. Hangzhou, Jia, Shao, and Ning prefectures have suffered an earthquake! Countless houses have collapsed!"
Hiss!
Emperor Hongzhi and the three elders heard this.
His expression changed and he gasped.
An earthquake, and it was an earthquake in four prefectures at the same time.
As a result, the people in the disaster area would definitely suffer and their homes would be destroyed.
However, this was not a big deal. What made Emperor Hongzhi and the three cabinet elders even more frightened was…
The timing of this earthquake was a little too coincidental.
As a land of fish and rice, Jiangsu and Zhejiang had an empty granary at this moment!
There was no grain in the granary!
What would they use to help the victims?
What would the people in the disaster area eat after their homes were destroyed? How to overcome the current difficulties!
The reason why Emperor Hongzhi and the three cabinet elders knew about this was because they were not afraid of him.
It was because the grain in this granary had just been transferred away by them!
Back when the 300,000 cavalry of the Tartars invaded the border.
Emperor Hongzhi and the people in the cabinet all thought that such a war would not end in a short period of time. They could not rely entirely on the Crown Prince's United Department Store.
Therefore, after a discussion, they sent out a large amount of grain from Jiangsu and Zhejiang to reinforce Datong!
But who would have thought that the war would have already ended before the grain could even reach Da Tong?
Just as the monarch and his subjects were still immersed in the good news of the destruction of the Tartars…
However, there was a sudden earthquake in Jiangsu and Zhejiang.
He thought of the people of Jiangsu and Zhejiang who had no food to eat after the disaster.
Everyone's expressions immediately began to turn into horror.
Food was the most important thing for the people. If their homes were destroyed and there was no more food to eat, wouldn't there be chaos?
Emperor Hongzhi's expression was solemn as he turned to Liu Jian and asked,"
"Grand Secretary Liu, where is the grain that was previously requisitioned from Jiangsu and Zhejiang?”
Liu Jian furrowed his brows and also had a worried look on his face. He cupped his hands and reported,
"Your Majesty, the grain has been temporarily stored in Tongzhou granary because of the war at the border.”
Emperor Hongzhi frowned and his expression was solemn."
"Tongzhou granary? It was too far! Can we transfer grain from the neighboring prefectures and counties of the four prefectures?”
Liu Jian pondered for a moment and replied,"
"Reporting to the emperor, this is only a temporary measure. After the earthquake, the disaster victims will definitely move, and the neighboring prefectures and counties will definitely bear the brunt.
If they really want to transfer grain, I suggest that we start from the nearby Huai An granary. After all, Huai An granary is one of the four granaries, and its grain reserves are not something that ordinary prefectures and counties can compare to.”
Emperor Hongzhi nodded. After thinking for a moment, he said in a deep voice,
"Prepare the decree!
Transfer Huai 'an granary's grain to the four prefectures to relieve the victims! At the same time, he wrote to the government offices of neighboring provinces such as Zhejiang, Jiangxi, and Henan, ordering them to levy food, medicinal herbs, and other items to be transported to the nearby Hangzhou, Jia, Shao, and Ning prefectures to relieve the disaster areas. The two went hand in hand, thinking that it could temporarily solve the urgent needs of the four prefectures!”
"Yes!"
After hearing Emperor Hongzhi's words, the three cabinet elders and six ministers knelt down to receive the decree.
A moment later, Liu Jian saw that Emperor Hongzhi had no further orders, so he reminded him,"
"Reporting to the emperor, this humble subject suggests sending imperial envoys to inspect the grain prices of Jiangsu and Zhejiang. If anyone takes advantage of the disaster to hoard and raise prices, they will be directly executed!”
When Emperor Hongzhi heard this, his face was full of worry.
All the grain in Jiangsu and Zhejiang had been moved away, and at this time, it happened to be an earthquake.
If there were people hoarding, buying low and selling high, and raising prices.
It was no different from pushing the people of the 4 prefectures onto a dead end.
However, it was inevitable for businessmen to pursue profits.
Even if they were punished heavily, they might not be able to scare them much.
When Emperor Hongzhi thought of this, his expression suddenly became ruthless. He said coldly,
"Who do you think is more suitable for the matter of the imperial envoy?”
Liu Jian looked left and right. Seeing that no one spoke, he continued,
"I recommend a person, the left assistant minister of the Nanjing Ministry of Personnel, Yang Tinghe.”
When Emperor Hongzhi heard this, he pondered and remembered who Yang Tinghe was. He nodded and agreed,"
"The decree is to appoint Yang Tinghe, the left assistant minister of the Nanjing Ministry of Personnel, as the imperial envoy to patrol the disaster areas of the four prefectures on behalf of Heaven and strictly control the grain prices of Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces!”
"Yes!"
His Highness 'courtiers received the decree in unison.
Emperor Hongzhi looked out of the hall, frowning.
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