dognovel Chapter 1168 Now things are really messed up, nobody's going to have a good time!
Chapter 1168 Now things are really messed up, nobody's going to have a good time!
No one expected that when Hu Weiyong confidently declared that he would not lie or deceive people, Yang Siyi had just finished discussing taxation, and Emperor Zhu and his officials were still processing the figure of "two hundred million and twenty million strings of cash," which was the quietest time in the court.
Then, Emperor Zhu and all the civil and military officials present heard the words, "Believe me, I, Hu Weiyong, will never lie or deceive anyone in my entire life."
Then, Yang Shaofeng witnessed firsthand what it meant to burst into laughter.
Almost all the officials in the court burst into laughter. Emperor Zhu was especially amused and patted the armrest of his dragon throne, looking at Hu Weiyong and saying, "It seems you still haven't repaid the labor you owe our son-in-law, have you?"
Hu Weiyong's face immediately turned red, and he grumbled, "How can someone in a higher position smear another's reputation... Owes laborers doesn't count as an indebtedness... Coordination, yes, it counts as coordination! Can the Provincial Governor's affairs be considered an indebtedness?"
Then came incomprehensible phrases like "Liaodong is bitterly cold" and "watery pagodas," which made everyone burst into laughter, filling the court with a joyful atmosphere.
Wang Guangyang nudged Yang Shaofeng and whispered, "Usually it's the Prince Consort who mediates other people's affairs, but now it's that old scoundrel Hu Weiyong who's doing it?"
Xue Xiang also came over and said in a low voice, "It's really not me who's stirring up trouble, but that old scoundrel Hu Weiyong has gone too far. Who could tolerate this?"
Yang Shaofeng grunted in agreement and glared at Hu Weiyong through gritted teeth.
This official once coordinated with Lao Deng the supply of craftsmen, oxen, seeds, and farm tools.
He also coordinated the work between scholars and laborers through Xiao Deng.
The result is quite interesting. As the ancestor who invented the word "coordination", I was actually "coordinated" by you, Hu Weiyong?
And you two old scoundrels, Wang Guangyang and Xue Xiang, do you really think I can't see that you two are stirring up trouble?
As the saying goes, anger arises from the heart, and evil is born from the gall.
Yang Shaofeng subtly winked at Li Wenzhong, then strode to the center of the Fengtian Hall, bowed to Emperor Zhu, and said, "Your Majesty, I have a memorial to present."
“I have been collecting folk customs these past few days and have heard rumors among the people that the person who came to power is a ‘rule maniac’ who wants to set rules for everything and will not allow any changes.”
Emperor Zhu blinked blankly.
It's Hu Weiyong who owes you laborers and doesn't pay them back, not us who owe you laborers and don't pay them back, right?
And weren't we just speaking up for you, you bastard?
Yang Shaofeng continued, "In my opinion, this rumor contains many misunderstandings about the ruler and is merely a rumor spread by ignorant commoners."
Emperor Zhu hummed in response, but his vigilance remained unwavering.
“However,” Yang Shaofeng changed the subject and continued, “I believe that some rules should indeed be set to restrain certain lawless officials.”
"For example, the Ming Dynasty law prohibited officials from patronizing prostitutes, but some officials would have their concubines dress up as men and act as pageboys."
"There were also some officials who felt that taking concubines was too risky, and coincidentally, the Great Ming Code did not stipulate that peddling was also considered prostitution..."
"I wish to impeach the Censorate and the Ministry of Justice. The Censorate has failed in its supervisory duties, and the Ministry of Justice's revised 'Great Ming Code' is riddled with loopholes. They should all be held accountable!"
The Censorate's top leader, Liu Bowen, and the Minister of Justice, Duanfu, were dumbfounded.
Yang Shaofeng glanced at the assembled officials and said, “I have also heard that there are many rumors among the people that the officials are stingy, and that the salaries they give to the officials are only enough to support one person, not enough to support a family. After taking office, the officials have to hire servants and even yamen runners, and the extra money has to come out of their own pockets. If they are not corrupt, they cannot be officials. If they are corrupt, they will be skinned alive. If they do not serve as officials, they may be arrested by the Embroidered Uniform Guard and brought to the capital for questioning. If they do something wrong, they will have to work in shackles. There are all sorts of rumors.”
Liu Bowen suddenly had a strong urge to strangle Hu Weiyong.
Look, look, this is the result of Hu Weiyong's failure to repay the laborers' debts!
Yang the Madman has always been "not very magnanimous" and always stirs up trouble even when there is nothing wrong. Now that you owe the laborers money and are not paying it back, and you are talking about "coordination" and saying that "the matter of the Provincial Governor cannot be considered a debt", how can you let this go after offending him like this?
This guy is coming after me first, isn't he?!
Liu Bowen cursed Hu Weiyong in his heart, but Yang Shaofeng showed no intention of letting the officials off the hook.
"In my opinion, Your Majesty should order the Ministry of Personnel to re-evaluate the salaries and benefits of all officials."
"The residences of all provincial governors, provincial governors, prefects, and county magistrates should be standardized by the imperial court, and their salaries should be paid by the imperial court for their miscellaneous duties."
"As for the provincial governors, prefectures, states, and counties, the number of their officials, clerks, and servants should be jointly determined by the cabinet, the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Rites, and the Ministry of Justice, and their salaries should be borne by the court."
"We must not allow ignorant common people to spread rumors that the emperor mistreats his officials."
"..."
Yang Shaofeng became more and more excited as he spoke, and the Emperor Zhu's smile grew wider and wider, while Li Shanchang, Liu Bowen, and the other officials fell into deep despair.
Almost everyone knew that although Yang Shaofeng kept saying it was "folk research" and "ignorant rumors from the common people," everyone knew what he had just said was really about—damn it, it was probably just some idiot who spoke recklessly in private and was remembered by the Imperial Guards hiding under the bed!
Emperor Zhu chuckled twice and looked at Liu Bowen, saying, "Mr. Qingtian, what does your Censorate say?"
With a dark and sour face, Liu Bowen stepped forward, bowed to Emperor Zhu, and said, "Your Majesty, I have heard of the affairs of some officials who patronize prostitutes and male prostitutes."
Emperor Zhu then turned his gaze to Li Shanchang, "Mr. Shanchang?"
Li Shanchang cupped his hands to Emperor Zhu and said, "Your Majesty, I will have the Grand Secretariat, together with the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Rites, and the Ministry of Justice, redefine the salaries and benefits of the people, and redefine the number of officials, clerks, and servants in various local government offices and their salaries."
Emperor Zhu nodded, but Xue Xiang glanced at Hu Weiyong and whispered, "Now things are really messed up, nobody's going to have an easy time!"
……
After several days of grand court assemblies, Yang Shaofeng was finally able to relax and enjoy his tea in his recliner.
Good news! I don't need to attend the spring plowing ceremony in a few days, and I don't need to go to the show with Lao Deng and the others.
The bad news was that Old Deng had given him a sarcastic remark: "In the capital, no one will prepare tea and a reclining chair for you. If you're really asked to work in the fields, you'll just ruin the crops. You might as well stay at home."
Look, look, what kind of talk is this!
No matter what, I have personally gone to the fields and witnessed spring plowing. How can you, Old Deng, say that I am ignorant of the five grains and lazy?
Yang Shaofeng picked up the small dragon ball and took a sip, pondering how to annoy Lao Deng.