Zhenwu glanced at him, pondered slightly, and then said slowly: "This is a dilemma, how can there be a sure-fire solution? Choose the lesser of two evils, there is no need to discuss this matter anymore, it is already the trend to clean up Shanxi's deficit and rectify the administration of officials. In Bixing, you and Wang Juan will still take the lead on this matter, and Kuixu will fully cooperate."
Seeing that Zhenwu had made up his mind, Ma Qi did not dare to say any more. He had already said what should be said and what should not be said. Zhenwu had already said the lesser of two evils. , no matter how much he talks, he doesn't know how to advance or retreat. He hurriedly bowed and said: "I obey the order."
Seeing that Ma Qi no longer insisted on his own opinion, Zhenwu couldn't help but secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Shanxi officials were mostly bannermen, and Ma Qi was the head of the Manchu ministers. If he firmly opposed it, it would be difficult for him to rely only on Wang Tong and Kuixu. A thorough investigation of Shanxi's shortcomings shows that the ability of these bannermen to break up corruption and build relationships should not be underestimated.
After pondering for a while, he said: "Although Kui Xu is very happy with his achievements, he is not greedy for bribes and his talents are outstanding. If you find an opportunity to give him a beating, you must look at the overall situation in everything and don't stick to one corner, otherwise it will be difficult to achieve great success." .¡±
Ma Qi was overjoyed when he heard this. Did Zhenwu mean that he should beware of being greedy and seeking perfection? It can be seen that Zhenwu was also worried that things would get out of control. After thinking for a while, he said: "Your Majesty, now is the season for collecting summer grain. The matter of cleaning up the deficit in Shanxi can be postponed to be published in the Beijing newspaper to avoid the danger in Jiangnan." Local officials were frightened and imposed excessive taxes and levies."
Zhenwu nodded slightly and said approvingly: "This is a good suggestion. Not only will the Beijing News postpone publication, but I will also immediately issue an order to send the imperial envoy south to inspect." After a slight pause, he then asked: "What do you think? What do you think about the deficit, and how do you plan to clean it up?¡±
It seems that Zhenwu is still relieved about him. After pondering for a moment, Ma Qicai said: "Back to the emperor, we have been short of money and food for a long time. It is not uncommon to clear up the shortfall, but it always fails to work. The slaves secretly thought that since this time it was necessary to Make every effort to clear the deficit. We must get to the bottom of it and thoroughly investigate the accumulated debts over the years. Since Shanxi is the first province to clear the deficit, it must set an example for other provinces."
This sounds nice, but it is unrealistic. A thorough investigation is easier said than done. Corruption, bribery and deficits have become commonplace in official circles. Which official can be clean? Whoever has not made some shortfalls will be thoroughly investigated, and the investigation will not be completed even in the years of the monkey. Not to mention other things, just the quarrels of several officials are enough to give people a huge headache.
Thinking of this, Zhenwu couldn't help but glance at Ma Qi warily. This slave didn't want to take advantage of Shanxi Province's shortcomings. Let yourself retreat when faced with difficulties, right?
After being silent for a long time, he spoke: "The situation in Shanxi is quite special. The former governor Gali was the one responsible for cleaning up the deficit. He was repeatedly praised by the Supreme Emperor. This clearance was limited to Su Keji's tenure. There are indeed deficits caused by the previous three officials. , it is necessary to strictly enforce the distinction, and at most the investigation will be conducted within three terms, and the remaining persons will not be investigated. On the one hand, the time is too long, and the accounts will be difficult to check, and on the other hand, it can also prevent everyone from being in danger and making people panic.
"On the other hand, it is not easy for the country to train talents. Nowadays, Southeast Asia, Australia and other places are in urgent need of officials. I will give officials who have shortfalls a chance to make corrections so that they can make up for the shortfalls during their term of office." They can be exempted from punishment. For those who want money rather than their lives, I will help them and exile Ning Guta and the armored slaves as slaves. "
Ma Qi was shocked when he heard this. This forced many officials to go bankrupt to make up for the shortfall. Fortunately, only those within three terms were investigated. Most of the officials in the DPRK could breathe a sigh of relief.
After a slight pause, Zhenwu continued in a deep voice: "In order to prevent officials from borrowing money from the local gentry to cover up their losses, every time an area is inspected, local officials are dismissed on the spot and a notice is issued to strictly order the local gentry to take back the money and grain lent to the government. Otherwise, they will be confiscated."
At this point, he softened his tone and said: "One thing to note is that part of the local deficit is caused by the people's debt, so we must pay close attention to it. I deliberately learned about it during a private visit incognito. What is the so-called people's debt?" Most of the debt is owed by the local gentry, but these gentry should not be overly forced and ordered to repay in installments, lest they intensify their exploitation of the people."
"Hey, I obey the order." Ma Qi hurriedly bowed and said, but he was secretly happy in his heart. With this, many officials would have an extra chance of survival.
Zhenwu raised his head, thought for a moment, and then said: "You first go and discuss with Wang Kui and them to draw up a specific charter, and then come to see them, kneel down first."
After Ma Qi bowed and exited, Zhenwu also stood up and walked slowly in the hall. It was not the best time to vigorously clean up the deficit at this time, because he could not completely eliminate the source of the deficit at this time. If we want to eliminate the deficit, we must deprive ourselves of the comprehensive role of warehoused grain in stabilizing grain prices, providing relief, and lending, otherwise we will never be able to eliminate the deficit.
The relief and lending functions of warehoused grain can be gradually replaced by low-interest loans and interest-free disaster relief loans of bank accounts. I believe that it will not take a few years, with the development and management of bank banks and bank accounts.It is completely possible to do this.
As for the role of stabilizing food prices, after taking over the Nanyang vassal states, the Qing Dynasty had an extra Jiangnan. Coupled with the high-yielding and drought-resistant corn, sweet potatoes, and potatoes promoted by the northern provinces, the food problem was solved in a few years. It can make a huge difference. Once there is more food, it can be completely controlled by the market.
"To reach this point, it will take at least ten or eight years. Now that the government is corrupt, he simply cannot wait for such a long time. If he continues to be lenient for another ten or eight years, it will be difficult to recover.
Not to mention ten or eight years, he doesn't want to wait even one year now. A war in the northwest is imminent. He is worried about the instability of the people in Shanxi for this reason. It is urgent to rectify the official administration, especially in the northern provinces. He can He did not want to experience the taste of internal and external troubles. A vigorous rectification could ensure political clarity for ten or eight years, and he was satisfied.
The news that the governor of Shanxi, Su Keji, was dismissed from his post and imprisoned, that the chief envoy of Shanxi, Su Zhan, was dismissed from his post and remained in office, and that the prefect of Taiyuan, Zhao Fengzhao, was dismissed pending investigation, soon spread in Taiyuan City, causing quite a sensation. Immediately afterwards, It was also reported that Su Keji had misappropriated disaster relief money and grain to make up for the shortfall, and the court wanted to seize Su Keji's family property.
A group of wealthy businessmen who lent money to the government were panicked after hearing the news. They went around to inquire about the news. Many officials from prefectures and counties participated in the meeting with Zhenwu. The news was soon confirmed, which can make everyone They jumped anxiously, fearing that the lent money would be wasted, so they rushed to see Su Zhan and Kuixu and asked for their money to be returned.
This information was deliberately released by the newly appointed governor of Shanxi, Kuei Xu. Faced with the swarm of merchants who only asked for the return of their principal silver, he did not hesitate and generously returned it in full. When Zhenwu asked, he could do it directly He went to the 'Four Great Hengs' to get a low-interest loan, which was only borrowed for a few days at a high interest rate, and he naturally had to find a way to return it.
How did the merchants know the inside story? After getting the money, they all praised the governor who took office. . . )
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