Chapter 84: The layout is deep and the game is silent and cold

Bao Chao Li Si.

"Your humble servant Xue Wenzhi respectfully welcomes His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin to the Treasury and Banknotes Administration Office."

As soon as Zhu Biao and Zhu Gang's carriages arrived at the gate of the office, the Supervisor Xue Wenzhi led all the officials of the Baochao Supervisor Office, lined up in full gear, and respectfully welcomed them.

"No gifts."

Zhu Biao, the leader, raised his hand slightly, signaling everyone to stand up. Xue Wenzhi then led the officials to stand up as he said.

"I am going back to the Imperial Study to discuss government affairs."

Zhu Biao then turned his head and looked at Zhu Gang and said softly, "From now on, this Baochao Tizhusi will be handed over to you."

"Ah."

Zhu Gang, who was standing next to Zhu Biao, nodded slightly.

"Your Majesty has decreed that from now on, the Treasury Notes Administration will be under the jurisdiction of the Prince of Jin, and the department will be independent of the Secretariat. I decree this."

Seeing Zhu Gang nod, Zhu Biao waved his hand again. Li Heng, the prince's eunuch beside him, took a step forward and spoke loudly to the officials of the Treasury Department.

"According to the order."

Upon hearing this, all the officials led by Xue Wenzhi bowed their heads and respectfully accepted the order.

After Zhu Gang saw Zhu Biao's carriage leave the Secretariat, he looked at Xue Wenzhi in front of him and said softly, "Let's go."

"As ordered."

Hearing this, Xue Wenzhi followed Zhu Gang into the Baochao Tizhusi.

"Send me all the accounts of the Treasury Department for the past two years. I want to review them."

As soon as he stepped into the inner hall, Zhu Gang sat in the first seat, then looked down at Xue Wenzhi and said.

"As ordered."

Xue Wenzhi's heart sank, but he looked at Zhu Gang and bowed without changing his expression, then ordered someone to bring all the accounts of the past few years over.

"Your Highness, these are all the account records since the establishment of the Baochao Tizhusi."

After a while, when the piles of account books were neatly arranged in the hall like a small mountain, Xue Wenzhi pointed at them and turned his gaze to Zhu Gang again, his tone still respectful.

"Xue Tiju, you are not hiding anything, right?"

Zhu Gang spoke while casually flipping through an account book at hand. Although his voice was soft, it carried an authority that could not be ignored.

"Your Highness, I am very humble and fearful. I have no selfish motives and would never dare to do anything rash."

When Xue Wenzhi heard this, his face turned pale instantly and he bowed his head hurriedly.

"I am just asking casually. You don't have to worry, Mr. Xue."

Facing the somewhat frightened Xue Wenzhi, Zhu Gang still waved his hand nonchalantly.

But the power in those words had disappeared without a trace.

This does not mean that Zhu Gang believed Xue Wenzhi. In fact, he had just taken over the Baochao Tizhusi, and Zhu Gang could not judge Xue Wenzhi based on his likes and dislikes. Was he evil or loyal?

However, after checking this account, we will be able to understand whether the Baochao Tizhusi has secretly printed more Baochao.

After all, there is no perfect account book in this world, and if there is one that seems perfect, there must be a problem, and it must be a big problem.

"The third child."

While thinking, Prince of Qin Zhu Chong also stepped into the main hall of the Baochao Tizhusi and came to Zhu Gang's side.

"Greetings to His Royal Highness the Prince of Qin, may His Royal Highness live a thousand years."

Facing Zhu Chong who stepped into the main hall, Xue Wenzhi's pupils shrank slightly, and he saluted hurriedly again.

Since yesterday, this person has been in charge of the Jinyiwei, which was rebuilt from the Jianxiusi. Although the Beizhenfusi is still under preparation, it does not mean that there is no one available.

So Zhu Gang really wanted to conduct a thorough investigation of the Baochao Tizhusi?
"Second brother, have your people send all these account books to my Prince Jin's Mansion."

Different from Xue Wenzhi's thoughts, Zhu Gang looked at Zhu Chong and smiled softly.

"You don't have anyone available at your house right now?"

In response to this, Zhu Chong frowned slightly.

Zhu Gang has been back in Beijing for some time, but he still has no one available under his command?

How could a brother bear to see this?
"I have a group of guards in the Qin Palace, about a hundred or so, and they are all good fighters."

"And they will obey my orders, so I will transfer these guards to you first. You can use them first."

After a pause, Zhu Chong looked at Zhu Gang and spoke again, and his words were full of love and care for his younger brother.

"Second brother, no need."

Zhu Gang still waved his hand gently and smiled: "In the next few days, my secret guards should arrive in Yingtian Prefecture one after another, so second brother should keep them for yourself."

"Okay, but if you want to use it, you must ask my second brother."

In response, Zhu Chong reached out his hand again, patted Zhu Gang on the shoulder and smiled.

There is no need to explain the tacit understanding between brothers.

"Mr. Xue, there is no rush to check the account books. The most urgent task now is to solve the hidden dangers of the treasure notes."

Afterwards, Zhu Gang asked someone to bring a chair for Zhu Chong, then he looked at Xue Wenzhi and spoke.

"Your Highness, please give your instructions."

Xue Wenzhi still bowed.

"First, from now on, the Ming Dynasty's treasure notes can no longer be printed. We must operate according to actual demand. I will personally monitor this."

"Second, from now on, a notice is issued that in addition to Ming Dynasty treasure notes, the people can use gold, silver and copper to trade."

"Third, from now on, Ming Dynasty treasure notes can be used to pay taxes in full."

"Fourth, from now on, the Baochao Tizhusi will be changed to Baochao Supervisory Office, which will take overall responsibility for Baochao."

"Fifth, from now on, the Banknote Supervision Office must improve the anti-counterfeiting of banknotes and enhance the public's awareness of banknotes, so that the public can recognize real banknotes and use them with confidence."

"Sixth, from now on, the Banknote Exchange Department will be established under the Banknote Supervision Office. Anyone holding banknotes can exchange them for gold, silver and goods of equal value."

Zhu Gang thought for a moment before looking at Xue Wenzhi and whispered.

As soon as these words were spoken, not only did Xue Wenzhi's face change suddenly, but all the officials present in the Ministry of Promotion also tensed up, and even Zhu Chong's eyes flashed with obvious astonishment.

"Your Highness, no!"

"First, the treasury is empty. If we don't print Ming Dynasty treasure notes, it will be difficult to maintain the court's expenditures. We must treat this with caution!"

“Secondly, allowing gold, silver and copper trading also requires preventing currency chaos.”

"Third, paying the full amount of treasure notes must take into account the treasury's ability to bear it."

"Fourthly, the name change, the reform, the anti-counterfeiting of the banknotes, and the exchange of banknotes for gold and silver all require time to prepare."

Then, Xue Wenzhi quickly looked at Zhu Gang with a serious expression, and spoke with an urgency that could not be ignored.

Xue Wenzhi understood the saying that a new official has to make three big moves upon taking office, and he was just a minor official of the fifth rank, so how could he shake Zhu Gang's mind?

But Zhu Gang didn't think about it. He was simply playing with the lives of all the officials in the Baochao Tizhusi!
After all, the reform failed. As the legitimate son, Zhu Gang could at most be given a lesson and then make an announcement to the world to admit his mistake, and then he could be forgiven.

But these ministers don’t have such a good luck, because when something happens, the sons cannot move, so can the ministers also not move?
Zhu Gang wanted to reform the Baochao Tizhusi. Why didn't you dissuade him? Now he's in trouble, right?
If not you, then why not kill our Zhu Yuanzhang’s own son?

Therefore, Xue Wenzhi would never agree to Zhu Gang's reform and would rather die than do so!

just
"Hmm? I am discussing this with you?"

In response, Zhu Gang raised his eyelids slightly, and his calm tone contained unquestionable power.

As soon as these words came out, Xue Wenzhi's body shook, as if he was attacked by an invisible cold air. The blood color on his face faded and sweat oozed from his forehead.

No matter how loyal you are to your country, how loyal or treacherous you are, or how false or true you are, you cannot escape power.

After all, from the very beginning, Zhu Gang was not discussing with Xue Wenzhi.

But it’s the king’s order!

As the saying goes, once the king's order is issued, who dares to disobey? Besides, who is Xue Wenzhi? Is he qualified to discuss national policy with Zhu Gang?
Even if Hu Weiyong and Wang Guangyang were called over, Zhu Gang would not be afraid.

Moreover, ever since Zhu Chong stepped into the main hall of the Tizhusi, Xue Wenzhi's eyes had been looking at Zhu Chong intentionally or unintentionally.

Zhu Gang had seen this from the very beginning, and in response, he looked at the account book in front of him, with a faint gleam in his eyes.

The Baochao Tizhusi was originally under the Secretariat and under the jurisdiction of Hu Weiyong and Wang Guangyang. Who could believe that there was no trick involved?

Moreover, the salary set by Zhu Yuanzhang was so low, how could Hu Weiyong make friends?

It was nothing more than using the Ming Treasure Notes to make friends. After all, although the Ming Treasure Notes had already shown some signs of decline at this time, their credibility still existed, so the people still recognized the Ming Treasure Notes.

Then this matter must be investigated thoroughly!

While thinking, Zhu Gang looked at Xue Wenzhi, who was sweating profusely, and said softly: "Do you have any other opinions?"

"Your Highness, I admit my guilt!"

Xue Wenzhi's face turned pale again and he kowtowed.

Zhu Gang's face was calm and his tone was indifferent, but in Xue Wenzhi's eyes, it was a sign that he wanted to kill someone.

If you don't want to die, just stay here quietly and don't even think about expressing any opinions.

But is Xue Wenzhi really that afraid of death?

Don’t you want to be known as a loyal and righteous person after your death?

Don’t all scholars want to leave their names in history?

Haha, although Xue Wenzhi wanted to leave his name in history, it was not to face Zhu Gang, but Zhu Yuanzhang.

After all, dying in the Tizhusi, let alone leaving a name in history, it would be worth it for Xue Wenzhi just to be remembered by people.

Therefore, after today, Xue Wenzhi will definitely go to Fengtian Palace to pay a visit to Jin Wang Zhu Gang!
If this could help him gain posthumous fame, Xue Wenzhi could also conceal the activities of the Baochao Bureau.

"Xue Tiju."

"I know what you are thinking."

"You can also go to His Majesty and report to me. I will not be afraid."

"But before that, you should still explain the account book problem of the Baochao Tizhusi."

As he spoke, Zhu Gang picked up an account book and looked at Xue Wenzhi with a smile.

"Your Highness, I dare not conceal anything. Every entry in the account book is recorded truthfully."

"And I also implore Your Highness that reforms must be carried out step by step, and not be hasty, so as not to undermine the foundation of the country and harm the people's livelihood."

Xue Wenzhi was shocked when he heard this, and his eyes moved back and forth between the account book in Zhu Gang's hand and his deep eyes. Finally, he lowered his head, his voice trembling slightly but still maintaining a barely perceptible firmness.

Although Xue Wenzhi appeared to be calm on the surface, his inner panic was surging like a tide.

I even felt waves of cold sweat sliding down my back, my clothes gradually getting soaked, and my hands trembled slightly unconsciously. Even though I tried my best to restrain myself, the panic from the inside out was still difficult to conceal.

Especially under Zhu Gang's calm and indifferent gaze, Xue Wenzhi felt as if he was in the cold winter, with every bit of his rationality wrestling with his instinctive desire to survive.

"hehe."

In response, Zhu Gang smiled again, and waved his hand casually and said with a smile: "I will grant you a few days off, go back and spend some time with your parents, wife and children."

"However, Xue Tiju's account book is indeed very beautiful. All the expenditure details are so detailed that I am amazed."

After a pause, Zhu Gang threw the account book in his hand to Xue Tiju and said, "I have already read this one, so there is no need to check it again. It is very good."

"Your Highness, I am so humbled by your praise. I really don't deserve it. I am terribly frightened."

Xue Wenzhi's expression was slightly disturbed, but he firmly suppressed his emotions and bowed to answer.

"Second brother, let's go."

Zhu Gang nodded slightly, took Zhu Chong's hand, and said with a smile: "Father is still in the imperial study, waiting for us brothers."

"Ah."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Chong nodded slightly.

Then, the two brothers walked out of the Baochao Tizhusi together.

But when the figures of Zhu Gang and Zhu Chong disappeared outside the Baochao Tizhusi office, Xue Wenzhi seemed to have lost his support. His knees went weak and he collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath.

It was as if all the tension was gone at once, and even breathing became extremely difficult.

Sweat flowed down Xue Wenzhi's temples, mixed with the emotions that he had just tried hard to suppress. The release at this moment made his body and mind feel unprecedentedly tired.

With Xue Wenzhi's intelligence, he naturally understood what Zhu Gang meant. Then Xue Wenzhi picked up the account book next to him, and a gloomy and uncertain light flashed in his eyes.

But after speculating for a long time, Xue Wenzhi still couldn't guess Zhu Gang's intention, so he prepared to visit Hu Weiyong in the evening.

After all, Hu Weiyong is Xue Wenzhi's master.

"what do you mean?"

On the way to the Imperial Study, Zhu Chong turned to look at Zhu Gang and asked curiously, "Is there a problem with the account?"

"Ah."

Zhu Gang nodded slightly without hiding anything.

"Then why not just arrest him?" Zhu Chong looked at Zhu Gang with some confusion.

"What's the point of arresting a mere fifth-rank official?"

Zhu Biao glanced at Zhu Chong again and then shook his head.

"What do you mean, can you explain?"

Zhu Chong also looked at Zhu Gang with annoyance immediately.

"A small fifth-rank official should have a limit, no matter how greedy he is. But the Treasury Department is under the Secretariat after all."

"Then you should think about whether there is something fishy going on here."

"And the account book I looked at was so perfect, so perfect that it shocked me."

"So there must be a bigger figure behind Xue Wenzhi."

Zhu Gang put his arm around Zhu Chong's shoulders and spoke slowly.

"Are you planning to use Xue Wenzhi's clue to lure out the bigger figure behind the scenes?" Zhu Chong asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Except Hu Weiyong, who else could have such means and schemes?" Zhu Gang still said with a smile, but his tone was somewhat playful.

"Second brother, do you dare to gamble?"

Zhu Gang thought for a moment and said.

"What are you gambling?"

Zhu Chong asked curiously.

"If I bet on Xue Wenzhi, he will commit suicide tomorrow."

Zhu Gang still smiled.

"Ah? Suicide?" Zhu Chong was a little confused.

"Hu Weiyong is very smart, and he should understand what I mean."

"As for the additional Ming Dynasty banknotes, I think they will also be in Xue Wenzhi's home."

Zhu Gang looked towards the imperial study in front of him, clapped his hands and smiled.

"I'll have the Royal Guards keep an eye on him and protect Xue Wenzhi."

Zhu Chong's eyes lit up and he spoke immediately.

"clever."

Zhu Gang gave a thumbs up with satisfaction.

(End of this chapter)