Chapter Nine, Predicament, the Great Ming is in a state of emptiness

Emperor Chongzhen squinted his eyes slightly and said

What brings you here?

However, it must be said that the current Donglin Party holds quite a significant position in the court, to the extent that the system of checks and balances has become merely a formality. Taking advantage of the recent invasion by the Jurchens into the Ming Dynasty, it is essential to carefully plan this matter.

Emperor Chongzhen said: "Bi Qing, I have given this matter some thought. For now, you need not concern yourself with these issues. When the time comes, the Grand Council will find a way to resolve them."

However, the amount of money and grain that the Ministry of Revenue can allocate is limited, and when the time comes for these expenditures, it will become a significant challenge

Alright, Wang Daban, let's not discuss this any further

Mr. Bi, no need for excessive formalities

I, your humble servant, respectfully present myself before Your Majesty

During the Little Ice Age, the finances of the Ming Dynasty experienced a contraction. In order to address the incessant disasters, the rebellions of bandits, the persistently high military salaries, and various expenditures, the court could only continuously impose the three taxes, robbing Peter to pay Paul, which further exacerbated social conflicts

It is for this matter

"Wang Daban, how much silver is left in the treasury at the moment?"

Understanding the root causes of the financial situation at the end of the Ming Dynasty, and being aware of the virtues of the court officials, Emperor Chongzhen had no intention of resorting to the Ministry of Revenue to engage in any embarrassing fundraising activities

"Let's announce it."

Indeed, there is no shortage

Even the troops rushing to aid the capital cannot provide the necessary funds and provisions in the future, and I must find a way to resolve this. I refuse to believe that the Ming Dynasty is truly short of silver

Matters concerning the outer court ultimately require resolution by the outer court. It is not a sustainable solution for me to continuously use the treasury's silver to support the outer court

Yes, Your Majesty

The financial minister of the Ming Dynasty seems to be in a difficult situation as well

Bi Ziyan served as the Minister of Revenue during both the Tianqi and Chongzhen reigns, overseeing the finances of the Ming Dynasty. During the Tianqi period, he also held the position of Governor of Tianjin, bearing the significant responsibility of supervising the collection of tribute from Liaodong. He can be considered a rare talent, having some connections with the Donglin Party, though these connections are limited.

This is to come and complain to me

Instead of losing face and dignity, no actual problems have been resolved

I humbly request to resign

Your Majesty, the silver in the inner treasury can no longer be allocated to the national treasury as needed

Since he no longer attended to state affairs at the Wenhua Hall, during these few days in the Qianqing Palace, Emperor Chongzhen did not leave this place at all. He even refrained from participating in the morning court sessions, which were merely formalities, to put on a show for the civil officials. He remained in the Qianqing Palace, strategizing on how to win this war against the Jianlu.

At this point, Wang Cheng'en's eyes were slightly red, and his emotions were somewhat agitated, making it truly difficult for him to continue speaking

Seeing the emperor in this manner, Bi Zi Yan could only suppress the astonishment and doubt in his heart, the worry in his brows undiminished, as he clasped his hands and bowed respectfully

I do not have the extra energy to be disturbed by these trivial matters in the court. As for the affairs of the outer court, let the cabinet manage them for now. I must seize the time to strengthen imperial power.

Does the Ming Dynasty really lack silver

Emperor Chongzhen inquired about the Dao

Alright, alright, Wang Daban, I understand your meaning

Emperor Chongzhen smiled and said to Bi Ziyan, who was bowing respectfully, "Minister Bi, have you come to see me regarding any state affairs?"

After Bi Ziyan left, Emperor Chongzhen squinted his eyes slightly and looked towards Wang Cheng'en, inquiring.

I shall now attend to matters of military importance; you may withdraw for the time being

The Chancellor of the Ming Dynasty, for now, can only afford to neglect you for a while

Even the reinforcements led by Yuan Chonghuan required the court to allocate funds and supplies.

A powerful voice suddenly interrupted Emperor Chongzhen's thoughts

After Sun Chengzong and the others left the Dongnuange, Wang Cheng'en respectfully presented a cup of tea to Emperor Chongzhen, advising, "Your Majesty, please take care of your health, you have..."

Before the financial revenue of the Ming Dynasty was allocated to the proper channels, Emperor Chongzhen planned to adopt some unconventional measures to increase the treasury's income

In the late Ming Dynasty, there was an eternal and unchanging topic, which was, in fact, silver

High-rise potential return path

In the recent discussion, Emperor Chongzhen expressed some dissatisfaction with the performances of Wang Qia and Li Banghua. It was evident that they had not positioned themselves correctly and failed to recognize the significance of establishing the Grand Council.

This ... ...

Currently, the grain prices in the capital region are soaring, and Your Majesty has issued a decree to quell the chaos and save the nation, intending to command the troops from Tianjin, Denglai, Dongjiang, and other areas to advance to the capital

Emperor Chongzhen took the teacup, drank it in one go, chewed on the few tea leaves in his mouth, and said: "Given the current situation, how can I possibly sleep?"

After all, didn't Emperor Chongzhen do just that in the original timeline? But what was the outcome...

Since your ascension to the throne, you have practiced self-discipline and frugality, even to the extent of ...

To stabilize the precarious finances of the Ming Dynasty during the tumultuous period at the end of its reign is indeed an extraordinary achievement

Emperor Chongzhen stood up and said to the astonished Bi Ziyan: "What you need to do now is to manage the affairs of the Ministry of Revenue well, stabilize the situation in the capital, and prevent the price of grain from soaring.

Alright, Biqing

Taking silver from the inner treasury and allocating it to the outer court, the officials within the court will not say anything, and may even praise the emperor's wisdom. However, if you were to take even a single tael of silver from the national treasury, you would be condemned to death

At this moment, Wang Cheng'en stepped forward to advise: "Over the past two years, how much silver have you disbursed from the inner treasury, yet those ministers in the court have not mentioned this matter even once.

Currently, due to the influence of the border incursions by the bandits, the grain prices in the Jingji region have skyrocketed. Many merchants are involved in this situation, and Emperor Chongzhen has no intention of letting those who seek to profit from the national crisis off the hook

Upon hearing this, Emperor Chongzhen could not help but exclaim: "Currently, the Manchu bandits are invading the borders, causing great turmoil in the dynasty, unsettling the hearts of the people in the capital, depleting the national treasury, and leading to an imbalance in the finances of the Ministry of Revenue.

Seeing Wang Cheng'en like this, Emperor Chongzhen waved his hand and said: "The silver in the imperial treasury, I will not easily use unless it is absolutely necessary.

Wang Cheng'en immediately replied: "Your Majesty, there are still over 2,900,000 taels of silver in the treasury here."

Bi Ziyan's brows were furrowed with concern as he looked at Emperor Chongzhen and said: "The recent incursions by the enemy have successively breached areas such as Da'an Pass and Longjing Pass, causing great alarm among the people in the Jingji region.

"Your Majesty, the Minister of Revenue, Bi Ziyan, requests an audience outside the Qianqing Gate."

"Returning to the Emperor, it concerns the administration of the Ministry of Revenue's expenditures on money and grain."

Gao Qiqian respectfully entered the Dongnuan Pavilion and, seeing Emperor Chongzhen with a slight frown, clasped his hands and bowed in greeting

At the national fiscal level, there is a lack of funds, yet the private sector is hoarding vast amounts of wealth, especially among the officials, nobility, and princes of the Ming Dynasty, each of whom is exceedingly wealthy

Looking at Bi Ziyan's somewhat hunched back, Emperor Chongzhen felt a sense of emotion in his heart, but he refrained from saying much else, as he wanted to focus on what he needed to do

The silver in this treasury is the private property of the Son of Heaven of the Ming Dynasty, and there are many areas where expenditures are required. Not to mention anything else, just maintaining the Forbidden City alone, with so many eunuchs and palace maids revolving around this Son of Heaven, as well as the members of the royal family, requires a considerable amount of silver.

Your Majesty, please take a moment to have a sip of tea and rest

Bi Ziyan found it somewhat hard to believe. He looked at Emperor Chongzhen, feeling a sense of astonishment. A problem that the Ministry of Revenue could not resolve, could it really be solved by a temporarily established Grand Council?

I, the Emperor of the Great Ming, truly am quite poor

The Special Military Affairs Office, this is merely the beginning. How to consolidate military decision-making power and expand the authority of the Military Affairs Office is what Emperor Chongzhen will pursue subsequently