Zhu Houzhao's words were simple and clear. When the officials in the court looked at the censor, they were filled with righteous indignation!
The Imperial Censor naturally knew what the Emperor meant. His body trembled violently, and his face was ashen. He could only kowtow to Zhu Houzhao and beg for mercy."This subject deserves to die ten thousand deaths, this subject deserves to die ten thousand deaths. I beg Your Majesty to calm down. I didn't want this silver. It was them, they insisted on sending it to me.”
"You don't want it? I think you're very happy to see this silver.”
Zhu Houzhao looked at Cao Zhengchun angrily,""Cao Zhengchun, read to all the officials and ministers about the good deeds he has done in the past few months!”
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Cao Zhengchun quickly went through the secret report in his mind. He looked at the Imperial Censor with a sneer and said," Three months ago, someone placed jewelry worth 20,000 taels of silver in Imperial Censor Li's manure cart. Then, it was transported into Imperial Censor Li's residence and placed into the pond overnight. Two and a half months ago…"
After listening to Cao Zhengchun recount what Imperial Censor Li had done in the Imperial Court, the officials finally understood what Zhu Houzhao meant when he said," You hid the 100,000 taels of silver well."
Zhu Houzhao's face was filled with disappointment.""This is your incorruptness as a censor. It's ridiculous. You accepted bribes yourself, but you still falsely accused Liu Jian and Liang Chu, who worked hard for the country. Don't you think it's funny?”
"This subject deserves to die ten thousand times, this subject deserves to die ten thousand times. Your Majesty, please spare my life. They were the ones who insisted on giving it to me…"
"Minister of Justice!"
"According to the laws of Great Ming, how should we punish them?”
"Your Majesty, we skinned them and plundered their property into the national treasury. The amount of corruption is huge, and three clans were implicated!”
Zhu Houzhao said angrily," In the future, the cruel punishments in the laws of the Ming Dynasty will not be used on the common people. However, the officials of the imperial court will all receive these capital punishments. We must let them know what they should do at all times!"”
"This subject obeys the decree!" The Minister of Justice said.
Zhu Houzhao turned to Cao Zhengchun and said,"Cao Zhengchun, the supervisor of the East Chamber!"
Cao Zhengchun stepped forward and stood on the court. Zhu Houzhao pointed at the censor and said,""Put him on death row and interrogate him under torture. I want to know who he is. How dare he bribe the censor and attack the ministers of the court!”
"This subject obeys the decree!"
The imperial censor was completely disheartened. If he fell into the hands of the East Chamber, he would definitely not have a good ending!
……
Cao Zhengchun escorted the censor out of the court and returned to the East Chamber. The Emperor wanted to find out who was behind this. As the Emperor's eyes and ears, the East Chamber had to find out in the shortest time possible.
Otherwise, he would be betraying the Emperor's trust.
……
In the court.
The imperial censors didn't dare to speak anymore. The three imperial censors had already stated what they wanted to report.
His Majesty refuted them one by one, and the censors were speechless.
Zhu Houzhao sat on the dragon throne and said,""Dear ministers, do you have a memorial?”
Zhu Houzhao finished his sentence.
Li Dongyang stepped forward and said," Your Majesty, since Your Majesty ascended the throne, the Ming Dynasty has become increasingly prosperous. The Ming Navy has won a great victory against the Franji people. Your Majesty's achievements are greater than Yao and Shun's.”
Zhu Houzhao listened to Li Dongyang's flattery and didn't know what this old fox was up to.
As soon as Li Dongyang finished speaking, all the officials in the court congratulated him,""The country under His Majesty's rule is prosperous and the people are safe. His Majesty is truly the blessing of the people.”
Zhu Houzhao listened to the praises of the officials and revealed a hint of joy on his face.
After all, no one liked to look at the sad faces of the officials all day long.
The feeling of being flattered and flattered was better.
"If you have anything to say," Zhu Houzhao waved his hand.”
Li Dongyang cupped his hands and said,""Your Majesty is wise, and you are unparalleled in the world in terms of civil and martial arts. I request Your Majesty to hold a ceremony at the Temple of Heaven in order to ensure that the weather is smooth.”
As soon as Li Dongyang finished speaking, all the officials in the court congratulated him in unison,""Your Majesty, please ascend the Temple of Heaven for the ceremony."
"Zhen allows it. Minister of Rites Yang Yiqing, listen up.”
After Yang Yiqing stepped out.
"Ask the Ministry of Rites to choose an auspicious day for me to ascend the Temple of Heaven to hold a ceremony."”
"Yes, Your Majesty."
After Yang Yiqing returned to the court, Li Dongyang continued to report.
"Your Majesty, ever since Your Majesty destroyed the Tartars and defeated the Franji fleet, the annual silver of the fifteen affiliated kingdoms around the Ming Empire has doubled. Another thirteen small kingdoms have submitted a letter to worship the Ming Empire as their suzerain kingdom, hoping to join the system of the affiliated kingdoms of the Ming Empire. They are willing to pay annual silver every year and become subjects of the Ming Empire. These thirteen small kingdoms were originally affiliated kingdoms of the Tartars and belong to the Western Regions. They have prosperous trade and are relatively rich.”
As soon as Yang Yiqing finished speaking, Zhu Houzhao suddenly remembered that the princess of North Korea had already entered the capital.
Among the many affiliated kingdoms around Ming Empire, North Korea had the most annual silver. Moreover, every time the Ming Emperor ascended the throne, North Korea would send four or five royal princesses to serve the Ming Emperor.
Zhu Houzhao sat on the dragon throne and looked at Yang Yiqing,""How much is the annual silver of these affiliated kingdoms?”
"Your Majesty, North Korea has 500,000 taels of silver per year, while the other affiliated kingdoms have 200,000 to 300,000 taels of silver. Other than the annual silver, there are also special products of each country, such as jewelry, coral, luminous pearls, crystal cups, and other rare items.”
Zhu Houzhao listened to Yang Yiqing's report and said,""Is the highest one only 500,000 taels?”
Hearing Zhu Houzhao's words, Yang Yixing's face turned green and red."This 500,000 taels of silver is already the result of the North Korea Kingdom tightening their belts. North Korea is not rich to begin with, so you can imagine how difficult it is to gather this 500,000 taels of silver.”
If it wasn't for the Ming Empire destroying the Tartars and scaring the North Korea Kingdom, the annual silver of the North Korea Kingdom would only be 250,000 taels.
As for the annual silver of other countries, it was also a major expenditure of the country.
This was the protection fee paid to the Great Ming Empire. Otherwise, they were afraid of being destroyed by the Great Ming Empire.
Repairing the Grand Canal only required 300,000 taels.
500,000 taels of silver could make the water transport stable for ten thousand years.
Zhu Houzhao calculated the annual tribute from each country in his heart. Although the annual tribute from each country was not much, it was still a considerable income when added together.
In the court, Zhu Houzhao looked at Li Dongyang and said,""Tell these affiliated kingdoms that if they want to receive the protection of the Ming Empire, they will have to increase their annual silver by another 100,000 taels of silver.”
Li Dongyang listened to His Majesty's words and mourned for these affiliated kingdoms. If the emperor you met was Emperor Hongzhi, Emperor Hongzhi was generous and benevolent. Perhaps he would sympathize with you.
Unfortunately, the emperor you met was the Zhengde Emperor, Zhu Houzhao, who was known as the skin-peeling emperor. If you fall into the hands of the Zhengde Emperor, how can you let it go if he doesn't peel off three layers of your skin?
Li Dongyang handed over the annual silver memorials of the affiliated kingdoms.
Zhu Houzhao opened the memorial and calculated.
The total annual tribute from each affiliated kingdom reached 7 million taels of silver. Including the 13 affiliated kingdoms that had recently surrendered, the total number of affiliated kingdoms of the Ming Empire reached 28. On average, each affiliated kingdom paid 250,000 taels of silver a year.
Zhu Houzhao looked at the silver offered by the affiliated kingdoms and beamed.
This time, the national treasury is rich again. I have money to spend again.
Just as Zhu Houzhao looked at the silver offerings from the affiliated kingdoms with a smile.
Li Dongyang continued," Your Majesty, the Franki Kingdom has sent an envoy to request a truce agreement with the Ming Empire. They are willing to compensate the Ming Empire for their losses. They are willing to pay a high price to redeem the prisoners of the Franki who are locked up in the naval headquarters.”
"How much compensation can the Franks give?" Zhu Houzhao asked.”
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