Chapter 36

Regarding these issues, Zhao Junchen had already thought of countermeasures while he was in Luan Prefecture. Now, seeing Emperor Deqing inquire, he was also very confident.

"Let's start with the first issue," Zhao Junchen gently waved the folded paper in his hand and said, "In the eyes of many court ministers, Your Majesty's southern tour is purely a matter of face, with no practical significance. This is truly a narrow-minded and outdated view. Our Great Ming has vast territories, and as the saying goes, 'the emperor is far away and the sky is high,' making it easy for all sorts of problems to arise. Zhejiang and Anhui, in particular, are key areas for salt and grain, and cannot afford to have any issues. It is precisely necessary for Your Majesty to tour the south, inspect the regions, emphasize the presence of the emperor, and spread the imperial majesty. This will make local officials and elders respect the court, strengthen the connection between the central government and the regions, and understand the people's livelihood and hardships. Isn't this the very meaning of the southern tour? For these reasons, is it too much to spend three to fifty thousand taels of silver on the southern tour?"

Pausing for a moment, Zhao Junchen continued, "Your Majesty's southern tour is truly out of concern for the country and the people. If anyone dares to obstruct Your Majesty's southern tour in the future by claiming it has no practical significance, Your Majesty can directly have them arrested and charged, either for disregarding Your Majesty's painstaking efforts, which is a grave disrespect, or for having ulterior motives and concealing local conditions, which is a serious crime of rebellion."

Hearing Zhao Junchen's words, Emperor Deqing nodded in approval.

Although Emperor Deqing was very clear that the reason for his southern tour was simply that he was tired of the palace and wanted to go to the beautiful and scenic areas of Jiangnan to relax, he had never thought so much about it.

However, these grand and formal words were indispensable at any time and place, so Emperor Deqing also secretly remembered them, waiting to use them to refute the ministers in the future. He could think of many similar reasons, but he couldn't express them as eloquently as Zhao Junchen.

However, without solving the actual financial issues, everything was just talk. Therefore, although Emperor Deqing nodded in approval, he did not say much, only gesturing for Zhao Junchen to continue.

Seeing Emperor Deqing's expression, Zhao Junchen understood the key point and quickened his pace, continuing, "As for the second reason, which claims that as the Son of Heaven, Your Majesty should remain in the capital and not leave lightly, otherwise it would easily cause chaos. In my view, this is even more ridiculous. Is this world not Your Majesty's? Can Your Majesty not go to the regions if he wishes? If chaos would arise as soon as Your Majesty leaves the capital, is it Your Majesty's fault or the ministers' fault? Moreover, regarding national construction, the various views of the court ministers are in conflict, each with its own merits. How can Your Majesty formulate national policies without personally understanding the situation? Should Your Majesty only listen to one side of the story from the ministers? Throughout history, all昏君 (foolish emperors) have been those who did not understand the people's conditions and were deceived by their ministers. Your Majesty is wise and benevolent, and loves the people like children. How can you just sit in the Forbidden City and let the ministers manipulate you? As the emperor, Your Majesty should make decisions independently. In my view, the ministers who oppose Your Majesty's inspection of the regions may have ulterior motives."

Hearing Zhao Junchen's words, Emperor Deqing nodded repeatedly.

Zhao Junchen's flattery was just right, perfectly fitting Emperor Deqing's self-proclaimed wise and ambitious nature. Thinking about the opposition from the entire court in recent days, Emperor Deqing couldn't help but feel that "among all the ministers, only Zhao Junchen truly understands my heart."

At this moment, Zhao Junchen finally addressed the key issue hindering the southern tour.

"As for the third issue, the concern about the southern tour causing a large mobilization and disturbing the people, and the fourth issue, the concern about the huge cost of the southern tour and the insufficient funds in the Ministry of Revenue, these are actually two sides of the same problem. In essence, the two views of the court ministers can be summarized in four words: 'burdening the people and depleting the treasury.' Although there is some truth to this, in my view, as long as we are flexible, it is quite easy to solve."

Hearing Zhao Junchen's words, Emperor Deqing became interested and glared at Zhao Junchen, saying, "Don't play games with Me. Speak quickly."

He had urgently summoned Zhao Junchen back to the capital to use his financial skills to solve these problems.

Although Emperor Deqing urged him, Zhao Junchen did not rush to answer. Instead, he asked Emperor Deqing, "Your Majesty, forgive me for asking, but must Your Majesty stay in the imperial palace during the southern tour? Do you really want to stay in the palace?"

Emperor Deqing frowned and asked, "What do you mean?"

Zhao Junchen said, "In my view, although Your Majesty's southern tour is for the country and the people, to safeguard the state, it can also be an opportunity to relax in Jiangnan."

The words "not necessarily" and "incidentally" were actually the main thoughts behind Emperor Deqing's southern tour, but Zhao Junchen would not say it outright.

Seeing Emperor Deqing nod, Zhao Junchen continued, "If so, why must Your Majesty stay in the imperial palace? Although the palace is grand and luxurious, showing the imperial majesty, it is inconvenient for both inspection and travel. Moreover, the construction of the palace is no different from the Forbidden City. What is there to see that is new? It is monotonous and cannot help Your Majesty relax."

Seeing that Emperor Deqing seemed to understand, Zhao Junchen continued, "Compared to the palace, the gardens of Jiangnan are the greatest feature and beauty of the region, known for their 'mountains and forests in the city.' They are characterized by water scenes, ancient trees, flowers, and stacked stones, skillfully borrowing scenery, elegant and full of natural charm. Garden construction is like writing poetry, requiring a certain method, and compared to the palace, it has a different flavor, which Your Majesty may rarely see."

Seeing Emperor Deqing's expression of longing, Zhao Junchen smiled and said, "If so, why must Your Majesty stay in the palace? If you stay in the famous gardens of Jiangnan during the southern tour, wouldn't that be better?"

Emperor Deqing asked, "Are you saying not to build a palace but to build a garden?"

Zhao Junchen shook his head with a smile and said, "Although I have the intention to build a Jiangnan-style palace for Your Majesty, the construction of a garden would be even more expensive and take much longer than building a palace. It would take three to five years to complete, and there would be no time. Moreover, the beauty of Jiangnan gardens lies in the private gardens. My suggestion is that during the southern tour, Your Majesty can stay in the existing famous gardens of Jiangnan."

Seeing Emperor Deqing hesitate, Zhao Junchen continued, "I have calculated that Your Majesty's southern tour, even with savings, would still require three to fifty thousand taels of silver. The construction and renovation of the palace account for the largest part, at least fifteen thousand taels. If Your Majesty stays in the gardens of Jiangnan, this large sum of money can be saved or used to increase Your Majesty's entourage."

Pausing for a moment, Zhao Junchen continued, "The famous gardens of Jiangnan are mostly owned by wealthy people in Jiangnan. It would be their honor for Your Majesty to stay there. These people are very rich, and if I hint to them, they will not be stingy in order to gain the privilege of hosting Your Majesty. At that time, not only will the cost of three to fifty thousand taels of silver be covered, but even if it doubles, it would not be a problem."

Living in someone else's house and having them pay, though it seemed absurd, Zhao Junchen spoke with confidence, and Emperor Deqing listened with approval, nodding repeatedly.

Zhao Junchen continued, "In this way, Your Majesty's southern tour can be completely funded without using the Ministry of Revenue's funds, and may even increase the imperial treasury's income. Since this is the case, how can there be a concern about the huge cost and insufficient funds in the Ministry of Revenue? As for burdening the people, it is mainly due to the mobilization and occupation of civilian homes during the construction of the palace. If Your Majesty stays in the gardens of Jiangnan, how can it disturb the people? On the contrary, during Your Majesty's southern tour, various purchases will increase the income of the people. How can this be a burden on the people and deplete the treasury?"

Hearing Zhao Junchen's words, Emperor Deqing was finally convinced. Thinking that his southern tour would not only be relaxing but also benefit the country and enrich the people, he could not help but laugh and say, "People say that your financial skills are the best in the world. I now believe it!"

Zhao Junchen smiled and said, "Isn't it because Your Majesty has the ability to recognize and use people? If not for Your Majesty, I would still be a poor scholar."

Hearing Zhao Junchen's words, Emperor Deqing became even more pleased and was extremely satisfied with Zhao Junchen at this moment.

...

After resolving his concerns, Emperor Deqing was in high spirits and talked with Zhao Junchen for a long time. Zhao Junchen took the opportunity to present the memorial on the reform of the salt administration in Sichuan and the petition for Liu Chang'an's commendation.

The reform of the salt administration in Sichuan was a major issue, and Emperor Deqing cautiously supported it, agreeing to discuss it in the court. As for the petition for Liu Chang'an's commendation, Emperor Deqing glanced at it and approved it.

After talking with Emperor Deqing about some casual matters, Zhao Junchen saw that Emperor Deqing was showing signs of fatigue and tactfully took his leave.

However, as soon as he left the Yangxin Hall, Zhao Junchen saw that Crown Prince Zhu Heyu was being escorted by a group of eunuchs towards the Yangxin Hall.

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