The Ming Dynasty never lacked smart people.
Those who can achieve the position of Grand Bachelor of Zhongji Palace are the smartest among smart people.
The difference is that wisdom is used in different places.
The wisdom of Zhang Juzheng and Gao Gong was used in the development of the country.
The wisdom of Xu Jie and Li Chunfang was used on Mou.
Xu Jie was forced by Hai Rui and Gao Gong. Forced by the situation, he had to choose to act violently in order to survive.
At that time, Hai Rui had not yet found Li Chunfang, and it seemed that the latter was much more at ease.
Li Chunfang quietly watched Xu Jie charge into battle, waiting for the emperor's choice, waiting for Xu Jie's results, and waiting for the turmoil in Southern Zhili.
Until... I saw the emperor's edict of sin.
The Analects of Confucius says that an ordinary man cannot seize his will.
He didn't know how the emperor, who was only eleven years old, could read the Analects of Confucius into his bones.
But the fact is that the overall situation cannot kidnap this Holy Lord. This Holy Lord himself is the overall situation.
In Li Chunfang's view, it was not because of how talented the emperor was, nor how courageous he was as Qin Minglei said.
It's just that he is the emperor, that's all.
Under the dynasty system, it was not long before the ministers were regarded as domestic servants by Taizu.
It can be said that as long as the emperor insists on having his own way, he can have this kind of momentum effect.
Emperor Wuzong back then was so frivolous that no one could stop him even if he changed his name and entered the battlefield.
When Shizong was succeeded by a side branch, he could force his chief minister to retreat, or he could go his own way, clearing land for his father's land, and threatening Zhejiang.
This is the awe-inspiring trend and this is the system!
No matter how much Li Chunfang lamented, it could not change the status of superiors and subordinates.
What a tyrant, what a benevolent king, in short, no single person can match the determination of an emperor whose "will cannot be taken away".
In this case, one can either hide it in the entire system and hope that when something goes wrong, the emperor will not see it.
Or you can only kneel down and beg for mercy.
It's a pity that tall people like Li Chunfang don't have any extra choices.
As Hai Rui said, Wang Ruyan was promoted by him, and the stolen money was sent to his home as usual. For this reason alone, he could not escape.
Not to mention that he privately enacted the "Township Covenant Matters", replaced the county government's national law, and played a game of autonomy. Strictly speaking, there is really no room for change in the crime of violating the law.
Therefore, Li Chunfang could only bow her head to the emperor and save her family.
Coincidentally, he had much more leverage than Xu Jie to bow to the emperor.
If nothing else, he is at least a talkative person promoted by Southern Zhili.
These people took advantage of him and wanted to use him to get ahead, so why didn't he need to take advantage of these people?
After Wei Guogong begged for mercy and Huaining Hou surrendered, a single person could no longer resist the imperial envoy.
He is not even qualified to bargain with Hai Rui.
This was the case with the Censor of the City. As soon as he met him, he was escorted directly to the capital.
No one can face the imperial envoy, and no one wants to be the first.
This was why they had no choice but to introduce a spokesperson and reluctantly work together to advance and retreat in order to gain the qualifications to negotiate with Hai Rui and others.
After the defeat of Xu Jie, only former chief assistant Li Chunfang in Southern Zhili had such prestige and qualifications.
Coincidentally, Li Chunfang also had her own plan.
He just needs to use these people to gain the influence to stir up the situation in southern Zhili, and then...sell the emperor a good price.
Li Chunfang looked at Hai Rui quietly, waiting for his answer.
Hai Rui frowned, unable to keep up with the rhythm of these people trying to figure out the holy will.
What split South Zhili?
How do you know that the Holy One means this?
Xu Jie suddenly coughed lightly and interjected: "I'm afraid Shi Lu has forgotten that Haigang Peak has never entered the pavilion."
Vision has nothing to do with wisdom. It is difficult for a minister who has never been in the cabinet to have a global perspective.
He smiled apologetically at Li Chunfang.
Then he pulled Hai Rui and walked aside: "Hai Gangfeng, this matter is a little obscure, but I believe that what Li Chunfang said must be what the Holy One needs."
"Let me talk about it, it will definitely make Long Yan happy."
Hai Rui looked at Xu Jie warily: "Xu Shaohu might as well speak more clearly."
He was just here to handle the case and had never received any instructions from the emperor to split up Southern Zhili.
However, the situation was changing rapidly, and he was a little unsure whether what Li Chunfang said was true.
Xu Jie said in a low voice: "Hai Gangfeng, please believe me for once. My life and death are in the hands of others, and I will never lie."
He looked at Hai Rui and said sincerely, "Hai Gangfeng, I can also talk to you, and I can also be your majesty's confidant."
As soon as Li Chunfang opened his mouth, Xu Jie suddenly found a glimmer of hope for survival!
There was no bargaining chip before, but now the chips are coming!
Li Chunfang now represents a large group of officials and dignitaries behind Nanzhili, both those who have revealed their identities and those who have not disclosed their identities.
Since he took the initiative to talk to Hai Rui, he must be ready to cut his flesh and blood.
As long as you accept the order in the face of danger and negotiate a satisfactory result for the emperor, it is a meritorious service! You may not be able to survive!
Hai Rui also had some difficulties.
The situation in South Zhili is complicated, with former chief assistants jumping out one after another, repeatedly exceeding the limit that Hai Rui can handle.
As soon as Xu Jie's problem was dealt with, another Li Chunfang popped up.
Splitting Nanzhili... He had some vague feelings, but he couldn't figure it out.
Hai Rui pondered for a long time.
Then he looked at Xu Jie and said, "Xu Shaohu, I will tell your majesty exactly what happened today. Xu Shaohu, don't make any mistakes."
Xu Jie let out a long breath, which meant he agreed.
He thanked her and returned to Li Chunfang with Hai Rui.
Xu Jie looked down from a high position and looked at this underachiever: "Li Shilu must not talk about it. I and Yushi Hai are here to handle the salt policy case."
"If you are willing to speculate on the holy will, you may wish to assist me in handling the case."
Li Chunfang was not surprised when he saw Hai Rui and Xu Jie changing their priorities in the blink of an eye.
He also understood what Xu Jie meant.
Before he could make conditions to the emperor, he needed to give him what he was supposed to give, so that he could be qualified to sit down and talk.
Li Chunfang thought about it for a moment and said, "I happen to know something about the Lianghuai salt policy case. Wang Ruyan, who was involved in the case, once visited his house."
"At that time, he mentioned that... Huaiyan salt can produce 1.53 million yuan every year."
"By the way, I heard that the detailed account books of each branch of the Lianghuai Transfer Department and the salt field are also filed in one of his other places. I know the location and will tell the two imperial envoys later."
1.53 million yuan is the actual number produced by the Lianghuai River.
This was the compromise of everyone behind him, and it was also Li Chunfang's sincerity. He threw out this number without reservation.
Of course, it is impossible for the center to collect so much, and there are still many losses that cannot be reduced.
For example, the lowest-level officials, salt workers, and laborers are trying their best to get things done, and petty officials at all levels are trying to get things done. These are all problems that even the so-called big shots can't solve.
The center can collect up to 1.3 million to attract money, and it will even decrease year by year in the future.
But no matter what, his sincerity was on point.
Hai Rui couldn't help but sigh.
This was the mission he came on this trip. It lasted three months and killed dozens of salt officials, ransacked countless homes, and offended high-ranking officials, including former chief ministers and princes. The other three ranks could not be ranked among them.
Interspersed with dangers such as arson and hidden arrows.
Now that Li Chunfang has said this, things are finally complete.
Just as he was about to speak and ask about the account books, Xu Jie stopped him.
I saw Xu Jie shaking his head indifferently: "The Lianghuai Transfer Department already has account books, so it's better not to make another trip."
This means it's not enough.
Luo Sigong, who was behind Hai Rui, couldn't help but glance at Xu Jie.
It's so pitiful that this was the first time he saw someone who took on the role so quickly. If he didn't know it, he thought he was a confidant of the Holy Emperor.
Li Chunfang seemed to have expected this to happen, and did not hesitate at all: "I heard that the Salt Merchant Chamber of Commerce was also involved. You two might as well investigate and maybe get some clues."
Hai Rui couldn't help but glance at Li Chunfang.
He naturally understood what Li Chunfang meant. The Salt Merchant Chamber of Commerce was abandoned directly at this moment.
Hai Rui only confiscated seven large salt merchants and more than ten small salt merchants. Jinyiwei found 390,000 taels.
If the Salt Merchants Chamber of Commerce and the Thirteen Big Salt Merchants, large and small, ransacked all their homes, I'm afraid it would cost 600,000 taels!
The national treasury only receives 3 million taels a year. This is 20%!
He was ready to agree.
I saw Xu Jie shaking his head again: "I have raided seven major salt merchants before, and I already have clues. Why don't I bother Li Shilu to remind me."
Sorting out the salt tax and raiding salt merchants' houses were all the emperor's expectations.
Just reaching this level cannot be considered as selling well to the emperor.
Li Chunfang continued without stopping: "Congratulations to the two imperial envoys for their meritorious service. Yesterday, I heard that the Southern Zhili Household Department was verifying the grain tax for the two seasons. I heard that this year, there is some increase. That is a double happiness."
This was Cao Bangfu's bargaining chip, and Li Chunfang threw it out together.
Xu Jie shook his head helplessly: "There are joys and worries. In addition to this case, there are several cases of assassination of imperial envoys with bows and crossbows, and cases of soldiers in disguise setting fire to government offices. It is a headache. Other cases are just that, this kind of case.
The conspiracy case consumes too much attention."
Xu Jie spoke with great emotion, while Li Chunfang listened silently.
This means that money matters are easy to discuss, but when it comes to secretly sending troops and distributing bows and crossbows, the emperor must be given an explanation.
Such righteous words made Luo Sigong turn away and no longer look at Xu Jie - he had never seen such a person before.
Li Chunfang thought for a while and sighed: "This matter involves the Ministry of War, so I don't know anything about it. Xu Shaohu might as well ask Ji Lian, the minister of the Ministry of War, the experience of the Governor's Mansion of the Chinese Army and others."
"These crazy people should send the criminal to the capital as soon as possible."
The Minister of War in Southern Zhili was previously Wang Zhigao.
After the Central Committee promoted him to the position of Minister of the Ministry of Justice, the vacancy has not yet been filled.
The Ministry of War is now controlled by Ji Lian, the Minister of War.
Now Ji Lian was abandoned by Li Chunfang and the people behind him without any knowledge.
Xu Jie nodded with satisfaction and added: "Does Li Shilu know anything about the case of inciting stupid people in Taizhou?"
Li Chunfang hesitated to speak, her expression gradually became difficult.
Xu Jie looked calm, said nothing, and looked at Li Chunfang quietly.
Xu Jie said calmly: "After all, it is a major case of rebellion. Your Majesty is waiting for the result."
Li Chunfang closed her eyes and nodded slowly: "Based on my guess, Yingtian Mansion Yin Zhu Gang, Taizhou Magistrate and others have clues."
This means that Zhu Gang is also sold.
Xu Jie took a step forward: "It's tea class!"
Li Chunfang's expression turned extremely ugly. She couldn't help but waved her sleeves and said, "Xu Shaohu, I live at home, how can I know so many things."
"Even if it's a small talk in the countryside, it must be able to reach my ears."
At this point, I can no longer agree to Xu Jie.
If he cuts too many pieces of his colleagues' flesh, it will not be regarded as meritorious service if he is just talking about others.
If you can't use this opportunity to win favors and accumulate prestige, how can you do things for the emperor?
Xu Jie took a step back and said, "You don't need to understand the whole picture. You can only get a glimpse of the leopard. A fifty-percent understanding is fine."
"How can you become famous in the countryside if you don't have any knowledge like this?"
The middleman must have been authorized.
If you can't decide anything, why do you, Li Shilu, need to be the middleman?
Li Chunfang shook his head: "Xu Shaohu, the emperor's life is important, it is better not to spend too much time here."
This is a warning to Xu Jie not to ruin the emperor's important affairs just to make himself look good.
If we don't give him some room to show his face in front of the group of people behind him, he won't be able to do the things of an emperor.
Li Chunfang refused to give in even a step.
Xu Jie also remained silent.
The two faced off for a long time.
Then they raised three fingers in unison and then closed them in a flash.
Both sides breathed a sigh of relief. Thirty percent, each could accept it.
When it comes to this point, we can almost give Nanzhili's affairs their own dignity.
Xu Jie nodded: "Li Shilu just said that he wanted to share your Majesty's worries?"
Seeing that Xu Jie did not press any more, Li Chunfang let out a sigh of relief.
He thought about it for a long time and said slowly: "I just made a mistake. I shouldn't speculate on the Sacred Heart."
"However... from how I have observed you all working on the case these days, I feel that the southern Zhili province is in trouble, so I have the guts to say something to His Majesty."
Xu Jie asked, "Li Shilu, please tell me, and I will tell you your Majesty."
Li Chunfang nodded: "There are no two days in the sky, and there are no two masters in the country, but now the country does have two capitals."
"The government's two ends are actually the beginning of disaster."
"I will petition your Majesty to split up Southern Zhili!"
Hai Rui, who was standing aside, suddenly understood why the two chief ministers had speculated that the emperor had the intention of splitting up Southern Zhili.
Southern Zhili now has a center that is not a center.
Occupying the richest territory, it controls 60% of the world's taxes.
The six bureaus, the Duchayuan, and the Dali Temple all have the same set of official orders in Southern Zhili as the central government.
In addition, academies and imperial examinations produce the most Jinshi.
Nowadays, some people in Southern Zhili are even openly clamoring that they have thoroughly studied the imperial examination.
In this way, even in the center, there were gradually a large number of people in Nanzhili Township.
This is why the salt policy case he is handling now is so difficult.
A mere salt tax case has already involved three chief ministers!
There are countless other princes, uncles, princes, and officials in scarlet robes, big and small.
Hai Rui's intelligence was not bad, but he lacked the perspective of a cabinet minister. Now that he was awakened, he suddenly understood and grasped the key point.
Needless to say, Xu Jie pretended to be enlightened: "What's the plan?"
Li Chunfang nodded: "This matter has been going on for a long time. If His Majesty had followed my advice and used the central government's power to suppress it, it would probably take at least several decades."
When it comes to cultural origins and humanistic identity, it is not enough to simply divide the area and set up a few government offices.
The top needs to be forced by the general trend, and the bottom needs to be subtle.
It won't work within twenty or thirty years.
Li Chunfang paused and continued: "But...if Nanzhili understands the Sacred Heart, thinks about His Majesty's thoughts, and pays attention to His Majesty's concerns, at least ten years of work can be saved!"
There are only so many famous people in Nanzhili.
Xu Jie was already the target of public criticism, so Li Chunfang did his part.
As long as the middleman he becomes today can save a large number of people behind him from a murder, then he will be the undisputed talker.
Compared to the fact that the central government is beyond the reach of the central government, he, as a local talker, is extremely precious.
As long as he is willing to split up Southern Zhili for the emperor, the weight and effect are self-evident.
Xu Jie pressed him and asked, "How can we deal with His Majesty's urgent needs? Does Li Shilu have any good ideas?"
Li Chunfang had already planned: "The zoning will not be changed for the time being. This matter should be settled naturally."
"We can first de facto divide Nanzhili into two parts."
"The permanent censor of the capital, the minister of household affairs, the governor of Fengyang Prefecture, Luzhou Prefecture, Anqing Prefecture, Taiping Prefecture, Chizhou Prefecture, Ningguo Prefecture, Huizhou Prefecture, Chuzhou, Hezhou, Guangzhou, etc., seven prefectures and three states."
"Although he is only a governor, as long as he is joined by the Minister of Hubu and the Censor of the capital, he can handle local taxation and go directly to Tianting."
"First wait for four or five years, and then turn the governor into the chief envoy, set up a judicial department, and gradually consolidate the power of civil affairs and prison."
"With the east wind of the Salt Policy, the voice of opposition will not be too loud. As long as we, the loyal ministers who have the Holy King in mind, can mediate in the middle, everything will be smooth sailing!"
Li Chunfang just finished speaking.
Then he saw Xu Jie and praised him: "Good! He is mature and prudent, and he has the same lineage."
"Everyone in the world says that Shi Lu is the prime minister of Qingci. Now it seems that Shi Lu is just doing what he wants."
"Now that we are reforming the past and making new progress, and working hard to improve the situation, Shi Lu will be able to get to the bottom of the current shortcomings and talk about it."
"Shi Lu, what a great talent!"
"I will definitely report this discussion to Your Majesty."
Li Chunfang dismissed Xu Jie's praise and continued: "In addition, His Majesty's edict mentioned the development of maritime transport."
"Then Chongming's 'Shanghai Ship Division', I can also do my best."
Xu Jie nodded frequently.
He acknowledged: "Shi Lu is indeed a talented person, but the governor of Fengyang, the seven prefectures and three states, and the Minister of Household Affairs, are directly grabbing the tax revenue from the hands of Nanzhili. I'm afraid it is not an easy task."
Li Chunfang nodded: "This is natural. Even if you have loyal ministers to help you, you still need to be strong enough."
Xu Jie fell into deep thought.
He seemed to have gained something. He thought about it and looked at Hai Rui: "Hai Yushi, what is my position now?"
Hai Rui was startled, recalled for a moment, and said: "The censor of Youdu, the governor of Fengyang, Yingtian and other fourteen prefectures."
Xu Jie hummed and asked no more questions. He hoped that the emperor would understand what he meant and give him a way to survive.
He paused and then looked at Li Chunfang: "So, what does Li Shilu want?"
Li Chunfang is different from Xu Jie, her butt is much cleaner.
The emperor said that he was willing to bow his head and forget about the past, so Li Chunfang did not really need to do this.
Therefore, there must be something else.
He looked at Li Chunfang quietly, waiting for his answer.
Li Chunfang was silent for a moment, then slowly said: "I have a granddaughter, she is fourteen this year, smart and beautiful..."
He looked at the imperial guards behind Hai Rui, and seemed to be saying to the emperor from a distance: "Maybe he can enter the palace and serve the two palaces."
…
On February 17th, just after the Waking of Insects, everything revived.
But it is inevitable that the spring thunder will suddenly stir and disturb the world.
Just after noon, the sky was overcast and it began to rain lightly.
Boom.
A spring thunder pierced the sky with a muffled sound.
Outside Xiyuan Wanshou Palace.
The eunuchs passing by could hear the symphony of thunder and chimes, which continued continuously.
In the Longevity Palace, Zhu Yijun sat cross-legged on a futon, holding a report in his hand.
He looked around in astonishment: "I'm only eleven years old, and Li Chunfang wants to give me a concubine!?"
Chapter completed!