"No, Your Majesty!"
Zhang Da hurriedly objected. "Your Majesty's plan to let the new officials propose their own salaries, then raise those figures by twenty percent, is indeed brilliant."
"The veteran ministers at court all come from distinguished backgrounds and have accumulated considerable savings over their years in office. Even without their salaries, they need not worry about food or clothing. Most new officials of common birth, however, have families to feed. Even if they possess talent, they still need seniority to advance. The salaries of lower-ranking officials are insufficient to make ends meet, so they have an even greater need for financial support."
"On behalf of those officials, I thank Your Majesty. This way, those at the bottom need no longer worry about being unable to support their families, and they will devote themselves more fully to the state. We will not risk a break in the succession of talented officials."
"However, some people have considerable objections to this. Twenty percent is already the limit, while eighty percent is far too much. Regarding officials' salaries, I have a few ideas that are not yet fully developed..."
Zi Shou had never expected Zhang Da to interpret his attempt to manufacture factional strife this way. He immediately waved a hand. "Since they are not fully developed, there is no need to bring them up."
"Uh..."
For a moment, Zhang Da felt as though a fishbone had lodged in his throat.
Zi Shou thought for a moment, then continued, "Since I entrusted the Hall of Worthies to you, I expect you to shoulder that responsibility. Eighty percent is indeed a little much. I have decided to have the newly established bank cooperate with the Hall of Worthies. Minister Zhang, you may take my Dark Phoenix Jade Pendant to the bank each month