Chapter 137: Abolishing the household registration system and redefining the household registration system for the whole country is the best way for a king.

Yushitai.

"Your Majesty actually handed this case over to the Censorate for investigation."

Imperial Censor Chen Ning looked at the imperial edict in his hand, a hint of contemplation flashed across his eyes.

"It has not been handed over to the Ministry of Justice, nor to the Dali Temple."

"Instead, with the intervention of the Imperial Guards, the case was handed over to the Censorate."

"That's nothing more than wanting us to do something about it, so that Enhou Liu Jizu and his family will never be able to turn things around."

Chief Censor Tu Jie also thought about it before speaking softly.

Nowadays, those who can sit in this position in the court, the ministers of the second and third ranks, are all outstanding people with natural talents.

Although they have broad plans and great ambitions, it does not mean that they are incapable. Especially for the position of Censor, one must be good at understanding people's minds.

So why didn't Zhu Yuanzhang hand this case over to the Ministry of Justice or the Dali Temple?
Because both the Ministry of Justice and the Dali Temple were too upright and were not good at guessing Zhu Yuanzhang's thoughts.

But the Censorate was different. As the court’s supervisory agency, their biggest responsibility was to supervise and impeach.

There is also the responsibility of maintaining the order of the court and ensuring that officials abide by etiquette and laws.

Liu Jizu was able to make the Censorate make a big fuss just on etiquette and laws.

In addition to Liu Jizu's illegal behavior in Fengyang, it was easy for the Censorate to prevent him from ever turning over.

What's more, Chen Ning and Tu Jie are both Hu Weiyong's confidants, so they will never give up just to avenge their boss.

Furthermore, from a political perspective, getting rid of Liu Jizu could also give them an additional three points of power.

After all, he is a marquis after all. If he is dealt with so severely, I am afraid that those meritorious marquises would be wary of the Censorate.

As long as he has this little bit of say, Hu Weiyong may not be able to rise again.

At this time, Hu Weiyong, who was in the Secretariat, also received a report from the Censorate, and a sense of pride rose in his heart.

As expected, Hu Weiyong's guess was correct. The imperial court would definitely take major action. In addition to the imperial edict from Crown Prince Zhu Biao and the Jinyiwei's investigation of the gentry and powerful people in Fengyang, they conducted a one-by-one investigation.

It has been made clear that the court not only wants to deal with Liu Jizu's family, but also wants to purge the gentry and powerful people in Fengyang.

"This really kills three birds with one stone. Not only does it maintain the political integrity of the court, but it can also have a great deterrent effect on civil and military officials, and even the nobles in Huaixi."

"We can also use this opportunity to purge the gentry and powerful people in Fengyang, so that they can no longer exploit the people."

"Our Majesty and His Royal Highness are really smart in their methods."

Hu Weiyong turned his head to look at Li Jin beside him, as well as Zhou Dexing, Marquis of Jiangxia, and Zhu Liangzu, Marquis of Yongjia, and smiled softly.

"Prime Minister, this is the Secretariat, please be careful with your words."

Zhu Liangzu was startled and immediately bowed.

Hu Weiyong was too arrogant. He dared to guess the thoughts of Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao so openly.

Don't forget, this is not Hu Weiyong's Prime Minister's Mansion, this is the Secretariat of the Imperial Court, and the relationships within the Secretariat are intricate and complicated. If you are not careful, you will bring disaster upon yourself.

"Don't worry, everyone here is my good friend."

"And the Secretariat is also under the control of this Prime Minister, so even if something is said that shouldn't be said, it won't reach your Majesty's ears."

Hu Weiyong waved his hand nonchalantly.

Ever since Hu Weiyong entered the Secretariat, he has figured out the relationship between these things.

At the same time, Hu Weiyong also knew clearly which people should be used and which people should not be used.

So Hu Weiyong was still on guard against those who should be guarded against, but it was also a fact that he had the final say in the Secretariat.

After all, it is well known that Wang Guangyang, the left prime minister of the Secretariat, has been playing both sides since the founding of the country. He is cowardly and has no strength, and he dared not offend Hu Weiyong at all.

This is equivalent to having the title of Left Prime Minister of the Secretariat, but not having the power of the Left Prime Minister of the Secretariat.

Instead, he was firmly held in the hands of Hu Weiyong.

To put it more bluntly, as long as Hu Weiyong wanted, he could kick Wang Guangyang out at any time without causing any trouble.

"Prime Minister, you should be more careful, lest there are ears behind the walls."

Li Jin also looked at Hu Weiyong and spoke.

As a thorn in Zhu Yuanzhang's side in the Secretariat, Li Jin also needed to flatter Hu Weiyong and remind him.

Ever since Zhu Yuanzhang wanted to use Hu Weiyong, Li Jin had become Hu Weiyong's confidant, so Li Jin had already figured out a set of rules for judging the situation and how to speak.

Bring it with you.

Perhaps it was because the suppression of power was too harsh, so Hu Weiyong, while smart, also became proud and complacent, and became extremely conceited.

He always felt that he could control everything, but he didn't know that in this huge wave, Hu Weiyong was just a small shrimp who could be picked up or thrown to death.

"Ah."

Hu Weiyong certainly understood their good intentions, so he nodded, then said thoughtfully: "In a few days, this prime minister will arrange for Chen Ning and Tu Jie to impeach Wang Guangyang for being lazy and inactive, and have him withdraw from the Secretariat."

"Wang Guangyang is indeed lazy and inactive, but wouldn't it be more beneficial to the Prime Minister to keep him in the Secretariat?"

Zhou Dexing's eyes flashed with doubt as to what Hu Weiyong meant.

Once Wang Guangyang is kicked out of the Secretariat, the position of Left Prime Minister in the Secretariat will inevitably be vacant, so the court will definitely find someone to fill it.

If someone else were to take over, the power of the Left Prime Minister of the Secretariat would definitely be handed over to the new Left Prime Minister.

This was a significant blow to Hu Weiyong's power.

So is it really worth it to kick Wang Guangyang out of the Secretariat?
"You can't just look at the surface. Power must always serve as a check and balance."

"But this Prime Minister is too ostentatious, so he will become a thorn in the eyes and flesh of others."

"Besides, if he keeps controlling the Secretariat, not only will His Majesty become suspicious, but even His Royal Highness the Crown Prince will notice it."

"After all, it has been a long time since Wang Guangyang came to the Secretariat. Since I returned to the capital, I have not seen Wang Guangyang."

"So you think His Majesty has no eyes or ears in the Secretariat?"

"Of course there will be. Doesn't this mean that Wang Guangyang is afraid of this Prime Minister, so he doesn't dare to come to the Secretariat?"

As he spoke, Hu Weiyong looked at Li Jin again and asked, "Li Jin, how long has it been since Wang Guangyang handled government affairs?"

"Since last year, the Left Prime Minister has not been involved in government affairs."

Li Jin thought about it and shook his head.

"Why don't we kick this person out of the Secretariat? Are we going to keep him around so that others can impeach the Prime Minister?"

"If one day, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince asks Wang Guangyang a question and Wang Guangyang cannot answer, then wouldn't it be confirmed that this Prime Minister has all the power in the court and the country and has the power to control everything."

Hu Weiyong immediately said in a cold voice.

If Wang Guangyang had not been so excessive, Hu Weiyong would certainly have kept Wang Guangyang, but his behavior, which was hardly concealed, had already touched Hu Weiyong's bottom line.

Therefore, this person must be kicked out of the Secretariat, and if Wang Guangyang was not a founding hero, Hu Weiyong would have killed him.

"The Prime Minister has considered everything carefully."

Zhou Dexing and Zhu Liangzu immediately showed an expression of sudden enlightenment, and looked at Hu Weiyong and complimented him.

"After the morning court tomorrow, I will leave the capital and head to eastern Zhejiang. I will have to trouble you to negotiate with the court."

"As for the banquet to confer the title of Earl on this Prime Minister, there is no need to hold it. Besides, my son just died, so I'm not in the mood." Facing the compliments from everyone, Hu Weiyong said softly again.

"clear."

Everyone nodded in agreement, and the matter came to an end. However, Li Jin, who was standing among them, had a barely perceptible coldness in his eyes.

If you want to destroy a person, you must first make him rampant.

Hu Weiyong can no longer be described as rampant, but rather as daring and presumptuous.

Sure enough, after being conferred the title of earl, Hu Weiyong's ambition for power took a further step.

In addition, he was originally the right prime minister of the Secretariat, so it was only a matter of time before he became proud and complacent.

I just didn't expect that all this time would only be less than two days.

"Old Third, why are you walking so fast?"

On the way to Concubine Hui's palace, Zhu Biao finally caught up with Zhu Gang and spoke to him in a bad mood.

"It's getting cold. I can't always run to my mother's bedroom. I have to go to my mother's place more often."

"You can't figure out a single thing, and you want me to wait for you until dark?"

"But boss, you really need to practice harder. You can be out of breath like this just by walking a few steps."

Looking at Zhu Biao who was slightly out of breath, Zhu Gang frowned again and said, "If you become the emperor in the future, without our old man's support, how can you bear it?"

Zhu Biao was not weak since childhood, and he was forced by Zhu Gang to practice martial arts. Even though he did not have the strength to ride a horse and kill the enemy, he was still strong and brave.

But since Zhu Biao began to participate in court affairs and help Zhu Yuanzhang handle government affairs, his martial arts skills have slackened, and this slack lasted for several years.

After all, he had no time to keep fit. Zhu Biao was busy with daily court affairs.

However, with this physical condition, even if Zhu Biao became emperor later, he would probably be the short-lived Prince Yiwen in history.

"Every day when I open my eyes, I have to send countless government affairs to the Crown Prince's East Palace. How can I have time to exercise?"

"What's more, now I have the important task of supervising the country, so I naturally dare not slack off."

As Zhu Biao walked, he looked at Zhu Gang and waved.

Although there was a Secretariat, the head of the Secretariat was Hu Weiyong.

So Zhu Biao was naturally worried. Moreover, now that Hu Weiyong had left the court and implemented the system of equalizing land tax throughout the country, requiring officials and gentry to pay taxes together, Zhu Biao naturally had to do everything himself.

To put it bluntly, Zhu Yuanzhang could sleep for three and a half hours a day in the past, and even with Zhu Biao's assistance, he could only sleep half an hour more a day.

But now it's Zhu Biao's turn. Zhu Yuanzhang doesn't care about anything at all, so our poor prince only sleeps for three and a half hours a day.

After all, although the time of the court meeting had been changed, it had not yet been issued, and this was because Zhu Yuanzhang had his own ideas.

So now we should continue the morning court session according to the original time.

Besides, how easy is it to change the time of the morning court?
All the time must be adjusted so that everything can be arranged in an orderly manner.

Otherwise, if the time of the morning court was changed rashly, the court would definitely be affected.

"Li Heng."

"I will issue an edict. From today onwards, the morning court session will be changed to the morning court session at 7:00 pm. Let them decide the time by themselves. Anyway, when the bell rings, all civil and military officials will enter the palace to see the emperor."

"Go to the Prince of Jin's mansion again and have someone bring you a memorial to change the time of the morning court session. Send it to the Secretariat and follow the memorial to ensure an orderly transition of the court."

"Also let those ministers rest well at home and recuperate so that they can fulfill their duties to the court."

Zhu Gang thought for a moment, then looked at Li Heng who was following Zhu Biao and said, "Don't forget to tell the court officials that this is the grace of your master. Let them be grateful to your master."

In response to this, a hint of embarrassment flashed across Li Heng's eyes.

If this imperial edict was issued by Zhu Biao, Li Heng would accept it without hesitation.

However, this imperial edict was not issued by Zhu Biao, but by Prince of Jin Zhu Gang.

So should we obey the order?

It is obvious that Zhu Gang has exceeded his authority and is committing the crime of usurpation and disrespect.

"What the King of Jin means is what I mean."

Zhu Biao raised his head and looked at Li Hengdao.

The meaning was very clear. Although Zhu Biao was the regent, Zhu Gang also had the responsibility of assisting the country and could add the seal.

"According to the order."

Li Heng's pupils shrank slightly, and he bowed quickly.

What Zhu Gang meant was the same as what Zhu Biao meant, which was the imperial edict.

I understand. Apart from Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao, the Ming Dynasty gave birth to the third most powerful prince.

"Don't think too much. If I'm here, the imperial edict you issued will be effective. If I'm not here, you can't issue an imperial edict without authorization."

After a pause, Zhu Biao turned his head and looked at Zhu Gang seriously.

"Don't worry, if I wasn't worried that you couldn't handle it, I wouldn't bother to issue this imperial decree."

Zhu Gang rolled his eyes and said.

"This is etiquette."

"It's not that big brother doesn't allow you to post."

Zhu Biao grabbed Zhu Gang's shoulders and said with a smile: "Don't be angry."

"You must practice the Qi-nourishing Fist well. It's good for your health."

A hint of helplessness flashed across Zhu Gang's eyes again.

As for why I am helpless, it is because one is talking about the city gate tower and the other is talking about the hip axis, how can they match?

"Let's talk about something serious. I've just carefully considered it, and the relief fund you mentioned can definitely be implemented."

“Because population growth is really a top priority.”

Zhu Biao patted Zhu Gang's shoulder again and said.

"Of course I know it's a top priority, but not right now. Don't worry."

"After all, think about it, although the Ming Dynasty has confiscated the property of Jiangnan and Zhejiang, and there are still many gentry and powerful people, who doesn't need money?"

"The introduction of treasure notes, the equalization of land tax, the unified taxation of officials and merchants, the orphanage, the reopening of the imperial examination system, the establishment of schools, and the revision of laws all cost a lot of money."

"Let's talk about the promotion of banknotes. Jiangnan, East Zhejiang, and Huaixi have already been promoted, but my Ming Dynasty can't be limited to these three places, right?"

"Besides, issuing treasure notes requires gold and silver reserves, otherwise it will be like rootless duckweed, so we can't be impatient."

"By the way, regarding the issuance of treasure notes, the gold and silver reserves required are what I call the silver standard."

Looking at the somewhat excited Zhu Biao, Zhu Gang shook his head again and said, "Also, regarding the implementation of the relief fund, the first thing to do is to abolish the current household registration system and revise it. This requires even more money."

“Abolish the current household registration system!”

As soon as Zhu Gang finished speaking, Zhu Biao's eyes widened instantly.

(End of this chapter)