Chapter 0003 The Emperor's Rhythm

Wang Cheng'en's eyes reddened, not expecting the emperor to call him "Da Ban'er," "Old servant, old servant..."

Wang Cheng'en hurriedly knelt down and said, "This old servant does not dare; no matter how Your Majesty handles state affairs, it is always appropriate."

Emperor Chongzhen closed his eyes and inhaled the fragrant aroma, "Wang Cheng'en, have Lu Xiangsheng wait in the study. I will see him after I have met with the Empress."

Zhu Youjian sighed inwardly, thinking that 700,000 taels of silver was roughly equivalent to about 140 million in later times. At this moment, one tael of silver was approximately equal to 200 yuan in later times. The grand Ming Dynasty! Could it really not raise even 140 million? He looked at Wei Zhongxian and said, "Master Wei, what do you think should be done to raise this sum of silver, and who should be appointed as the governor of the capital region?"

Emperor Chongzhen smiled faintly and said, "Stop calling me 'old servant' all the time. Are you perhaps wanting to ask me why I have chosen to rely heavily on Wei Zhongxian?"

Zhu Youjian smiled slightly and said, "Wei Gonggong, what are you so nervous about? I am asking you what should be done now. I did not say I would punish you. I believe that not only are you guilty, but you also have merits! As for the selection of the governor of the capital region, I think there is no need for a political discussion; let Sun Chengzong take the position. Isn't Sun Chengzong, the commander of Jiliao, someone you promoted? I believe he is very capable!"

Wang Cheng'en stated that while it is easy to eliminate Wei Zhongxian, it is much more challenging to root out the entire faction of his eunuchs. If this task is carried out hastily, it will pose a significant hidden danger to the revival of the Ming Dynasty

The others, including *Tu* and *Shu*, were also taken aback. Just a moment ago, they had all been thinking that the emperor was quite remarkable, but now, in such a short time, he had begun to ask a eunuch for his opinion? Since the time of the Hongwu Emperor, it had been explicitly stated that eunuchs were not to interfere in politics! These eunuchs brought disaster to the country and the people, and such matters were not meant to be publicly discussed! Those eunuchs who held real power, such as the supervising eunuchs and the grand eunuchs who controlled local affairs, were all secretly manipulating and controlling the appointments and dismissals of officials. No matter how powerful a eunuch was, they would not dare to directly intervene in state affairs!

Cheng Ji nodded and said, "Your Majesty is wise; this number is neither more nor less."

The three ministers shared the same sentiment, and the General of Shanhaiguan, Lu Xiangsheng, who had been unable to speak, was even more awed by the emperor's imposing imperial aura. He felt as if his very spirit and soul had been thoroughly refreshed. With his head bowed, he dared not look at the sovereign even once, feeling as though the bluestone floor of the imperial palace beneath his feet was particularly noble.

Wei Zhongxian was taken aback; he had not expected Emperor Chongzhen to call his name. Being invited by the emperor to participate in political discussions was already a tremendous honor! This was tantamount to informing all officials that he, Wei Zhongxian, was still a favored person! Still impressive! Now, the emperor was actually asking for his opinion. No matter how great Wei Zhongxian was, he was still just a eunuch! "Your Majesty, I am merely a servant. When has it ever been appropriate for a eunuch to speak on matters of state? Please do not put me in such a difficult position."

Despite possessing a century's worth of wisdom, Zhu Youjian's expression remained composed. Even though he was heartbroken and in immense pain at that moment, he did not reveal a trace of it. For an emperor to cry or show sorrow in front of his ministers is inherently detrimental to his authority. The emperor must command both grace and power; grace is power, and power is grace. An emperor does not require sympathy or pity from others; what he needs is the reverence of his subordinates. This reverence cannot be achieved merely through indiscriminate killings; it must be forged through the emperor's accumulation of merit. While ministers can be promoted and rewarded for their achievements, an emperor gains the respect and support of his ministers and the populace through his own merits. This has been Zhu Youjian's insight over the years.

Wei Zhongxian was so frightened by the emperor that his mind was no longer as agile as usual. Coupled with the fact that he was nearly seventy years old, it was impossible for him to be as nimble as a young person. Kneeling there, he was at a loss for words. Faced with an emperor who handled issues with the ease and fluidity of flowing water, he felt completely unable to keep up with the emperor's pace

Wang Cheng'en's body trembled, and he uncontrollably glanced at Emperor Zhu Youjian. This was no longer a seventeen-year-old youth. Wang Cheng'en had reason to believe that even an old minister like Cheng Jiming, who had served as the chief minister for a lifetime, did not possess the political depth of the Emperor. Not to mention the Emperor's profound political insight. His awe for the Emperor was beyond measure. From this moment on, he had completely separated the current Emperor from the past Emperors in his mind. Of course, the reason he provided was that the Emperor had unleashed astonishing talent under immense pressure. Perhaps the Emperor was inherently gifted, even surpassing Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang.

Zhu Youjian waved his hand and said, "There is no need for you to be polite; this is something everyone is well aware of. In fact, for all these years, hasn't it been you who has been in charge of the court? Our guiding principle for future work must be to seek truth from facts"

Wei Zhongxian knelt on the ground, his gaze flickering uncertainly. In reality, the only achievements he could present were the promotion of several capable individuals, including Sun Chengzong. As for the claims of merit, it was truly unclear whether the emperor was speaking sincerely or sarcastically. He repeatedly knocked his head on the ground, saying, "This old servant cannot bear it at all! This old servant cannot bear it at all!"

The Imperial Garden is resplendent; although it is winter, it feels as if it is spring, with the proud plum blossoms in full bloom, exuding a delightful fragrance

"Yes, Your Majesty." Although Wang Cheng'en had a lot to say to the Emperor, he only uttered these three words. Despite being a close companion of the Emperor, he found himself at a loss for words.

Zhu Youjian smiled faintly, "Wei Gonggong, please rise. You are to return home now and fetch 700,000 taels of silver. Consider it a loan from me. Do not claim you do not have it; this is a matter from the previous dynasty, where officials bribed one another! It is a corruption habit accumulated over the years! As long as you bring forth this sum, I will no longer inquire about matters from the previous dynasty. Furthermore, there is no need for everyone to rack their brains over the selection of the Governor of the Capital Region; I will personally take on the role of Governor, with Sun Chengzong and Cui Chengxiu serving as Deputy Supervisors."

His three cabinet ministers, wanting to dissuade the emperor, were nonetheless afraid of offending some taboo. They were all stunned and frozen in place. The emperor was personally leading the expedition! Does he really think he is the founding ancestor? Is war a trivial matter? In their hearts, they believed the emperor was merely youthful and impetuous. However, they were intimidated by the emperor's display of decisive and ruthless authority today. No one knew how to advise him. What if they offended a taboo and were thrown into the imperial prison? They truly felt as if they had encountered a ghost.

Wei Zhongxian and the other ministers were greatly alarmed upon hearing this! This was not only an accusation against Wei Zhongxian himself, but also a charge against the entire officialdom! The atmosphere in the hall shifted from calm and gentle to one of intense confrontation in an instant

"Your Majesty, this old servant is truly happy for you." Wang Cheng'en wiped his tears, stood up, but noticed a group of palace maids and eunuchs approaching from a distance. He alerted, "Your Majesty, the guests have arrived!"

After a moment of silence, Zhu Youjian said in a deep voice, "According to your statement, even without conscripting the local military or the common people, we still require 700,000 taels of silver."

At the moment when everyone was taken aback, Emperor Chongzhen, Zhu Youjian, had already left with great strides. Once he regained his composure, Wang Cheng'en hurriedly followed him out. Looking at the proud and confident figure of Emperor Chongzhen, Wang Cheng'en felt a sense of unfamiliarity, yet at the same time, he was filled with joy and reverence. Suddenly, he experienced a feeling akin to accompanying a tiger; this was a sensation he had never felt before. In his eyes, the emperor had always been just a child eager to make a mark.

Wei Zhongxian was so frightened that he knelt down on the spot! "Your Majesty, if you say this about this old servant, this old servant truly cannot bear it at all!"

Emperor Chongzhen naturally perceived Wang Cheng'en's hesitant expression and smiled slightly, "Da Ban'er, for future matters, whatever I say, you shall do accordingly, and there is no need to conceal anything from me"

Emperor Chongzhen let out a faint sigh and helped Wang Cheng'en to his feet. This gesture filled Wang Cheng'en's heart with an extraordinary warmth. The emperor had grown up under his watch; he had never even worn his own clothes as a child, let alone helped someone up like this.

Your Majesty, to quell the civil unrest in the three borders, at least 200,000 shi of grain is required, which translates to approximately 200,000 taels of silver. Regarding the military mutiny at Shanhaiguan, to settle the arrears of military pay owed to the border troops for over six months, at least 300,000 taels of silver is necessary. As for the funds needed to defend against Hong Taiji in the capital region, without mobilizing local troops, at least 200,000 taels of silver is also required. This does not account for the costs of requisitioning civilians; to enlist one civilian to assist in defending the city, at least 10 taels of silver is needed. Moreover, if Hong Taiji were to truly besiege the city, at least 100,000 civilians would need to be requisitioned to hold the capital. My humble Ministry of Revenue is truly unable to produce any silver since the great drought in the Central Plains in the sixth year of the Tianqi era! The treasury of the Ministry has long been depleted, and in places like Shaanxi and Henan, people have already begun to resort to cannibalism!

Although Cheng Ji Ming had remained silent, as the Minister of Revenue, it was now time for him to speak. In fact, at this moment, the head of the officials was either the Minister of War or the Minister of Revenue, and most of the time, it was the Minister of Revenue who held this position. Whoever controls the finances of the realm essentially controls the realm itself