Xie Qian felt bitter in his heart.
He could be considered an elder of three dynasties.
If he really wanted to be calculative, he could also reluctantly take on the role of the four dynasties 'remnant elders.
Although he was strong when he was young.
But now, he was already sixty or seventy.
His body looked alright, but it was still half buried.
In this final moment.
He only wanted to leave a good reputation for himself. What was wrong with him?
But what His Majesty said just now…
Was that something a normal Ming Emperor could say?
And disobey the laws of our ancestors to open the sea ban.
He wanted to raise the merchant tax in one go.
They even wanted those merchants to confiscate their businesses.
Xie Qian didn't dare to think about it anymore.
Once he did that, even if he died, he would be poked in the back in the future!
Therefore, after thinking about it for a while.
Great!
Just pretend to faint!
In any case, he did not want to get involved in this matter.
"Stop pretending!"
However, Zhu Houzhao's indifferent voice directly entered his ears.
Xie Qian also trembled slightly and slowly opened his eyes.
"Your Majesty, I…"
"Alright."
A look of disappointment flashed across Zhu Houzhao's eyes.""Since Duke Xie is not in good health, then go back and rest.”
A look of shame flashed across Xie Qian's face.
However, he still stood up shakily and kowtowed."This old subject will take his leave. I sincerely hope that Your Majesty's holy body will be restored to health.”
According to the official regulations.
If the emperor wanted someone to resign, he would give a hint and then let that person resign on his own accord.
It could be considered as leaving some dignity.
Zhu Houzhao directly asked Xie Qian to go back and rest. Naturally, he could not give any more obvious hints.
After Xie Qian left.
There were only three people left in the cabinet.
"I haven't even done these two things, and I've already scared one away.”
Zhu Houzhao snorted and looked at the remaining three."What about the three of you?"
"Which one of you is willing to take up the position of Chief Assistant of the cabinet?”
At this moment, he had to step up.
This meant that it would become the first shield for his reform plan.
Yang Tinghe and Yang Yiqing looked troubled.
After all, Zhu Houzhao had mentioned two things.
To them.
It was too shocking.
"Your Majesty, Zhang Cong is the second assistant of the cabinet. Since Elder Xie has left, it should be him.”
Yang Tinghe recommended.
He and Yang Yiqing weren't incapable.
He really didn't dare!
Didn't you see that Xie Qian was risking his life to pretend to be sick and beg for his bones?
If the things that His Majesty the Emperor was about to do led to a mutiny in the world, they would definitely be linked together. Who knew how the scholars of the world would make up for it!
Zhang Cong was naturally a newborn calf that was not afraid of tigers.
He cupped his hands and said righteously,"Your Majesty, I'm willing to recommend myself!"
Zhu Houzhao looked at Zhang Cong.
The current Zhang Cong was only in his twenties.
Being young meant that he was showing off his abilities.
According to the original historical trajectory.
If Zhang Cong wanted to climb to his current position, he would still need more than ten years.
But now, he had taken a liking to her and promoted her all the way up.
Although there was no longer any history, the things he did not disappoint his expectations.
Moreover, his fearless personality...
It was also very much in line with Zhu Houzhao's appetite.
"Very good!"
"Then from now on, you will be the new chief assistant of my Zheng De Dynasty!”
He looked at Zhang Cong, who had a determined expression.
Zhu Houzhao also smiled.
Of course, he knew that what he was about to do would very likely overturn the entire Ming Dynasty's officialdom.
It was precisely because of this.
He needed a chief assistant who dared to fight and fight, and who was on the same side as him to work for him.
"Where was I just now?"
"Your Majesty," said Zhang Cong,"it's a private partnership.”
"Not bad."
Zhu Houzhao continued,"The partnership I want is not to rob the merchants of their money, but to find a way for them."”
"As long as you are willing to cooperate, you can have an official position. Although you don't have power, you can see the official position without bowing.”
Whether it was the Ming Dynasty or other dynasties.
Scholars, farmers, merchants and businessmen.
The status of merchants was always the lowest.
In fact, during the early Ming Dynasty, merchants were no different from Chicky.
As long as the officials were hungry, they would kill one and eat it.
And Zhu Houzhao's condition.
It seemed like he was trying to gain something for nothing.
However, it just happened to hit the point that the merchants were most concerned about.
Zhang Cong frowned slightly." Your Majesty, if you agree to the joint venture, you will be given an official position. Then the qualifications for this joint venture must also be set high."”
"Otherwise, wouldn't any random merchant be able to become an official with no power?”
Zhu Houzhao nodded slightly.
The way he looked at Zhang Cong also became more and more satisfied.
Look, this was a qualified chief assistant.
If he pointed a little, he would be able to hit the snake with a rod.
"If you hand over one million taels of silver, you can become an official merchant.”
Zhu Houzhao continued," After becoming an official merchant, all the assets under your command will have to be put into the national treasury. You will only enjoy the salary of the imperial court. From now on, you will be doing business for the imperial court.”
"Zhang Qing, after you go down, divide the ranks of these officials and merchants. The more assets you add to the national treasury, the higher the rank, and the higher the salary.”
"Yes, sir!"
Zhang Cong nodded his head in agreement, his mind quickly calculating.
He had worked in the Ministry of Revenue before, so he was naturally familiar with this kind of thing.
Gu Dayong was not idle either.
He immediately reddened the conversation that the pen-wielding eunuch had recorded.
"Master."
Gu Dayong respectfully placed the note in front of Zhu Houzhao.
Zhu Houzhao glanced at it.
After there were no more questions, he gestured for Zhang Cong to handle it.
Zhang Cong took the red note from the pen-wielding eunuch, his palms sweating.
The things on it were all things that violated the universal condemnation.
Although he was a newborn calf that was not afraid of tigers.
However, facing such a big scene, it was inevitable that he was a little nervous.
"Alright."
Zhu Houzhao rubbed his temples with his fingers."Zhen is tired. I won't talk about the third matter. You guys go down and settle these two matters first.”
"Yes."
Zhang Cong nodded.
He did not continue asking.
After all, these two matters were enough to make him struggle for a while.
After the three of them left.
Zhu Houzhao looked at the gradually deserted Leopard House and squinted his eyes.
It was easy to conquer a country, but it was difficult to defend it.
If he were to go to Chongzhen, he was confident that he could help the building collapse.
However, in this Zheng De Dynasty, it was slowly being reformed.
It really wasn't that easy.
Because what he had to go against was not only those old policies, but also countless classes with established interests and traditions since ancient times.
however
Difficult?
That's interesting!
The corners of Zhu Houzhao's mouth curled up slightly.
.........
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