Chapter 170 The problem of loss of wealth in Ming Dynasty
Chapter 170 The problem of loss of wealth in the Ming Dynasty
Seeing that Xia Yuanji was completely tempted, Xu Jingchang was not in a hurry. He said casually: "Comrade Xia, do you know who the censor of Zuodu will be replaced this time?"
Xia Yuanji was startled, "Your Majesty only lets the courtiers discuss this matter, I can't make the decision!"
Xu Jingchang rolled his eyelids and said with a faint smile: "Old Xia, is this your attitude towards comrades?"
Xia Yuanji was speechless again. Xu Jingchang, his grandson, was simply smarter than a monkey.
"Hey, actually, there is no choice in this matter. We just need to recommend Chen Ying, the left deputy governor, to take over."
"Why?" Xu Jingchang asked curiously: "Chen Ying is considered a close confidant of His Majesty. He wants to be a cruel official. Once he takes control of the Inspectorate, I am afraid that the courtiers will not have a good life."
Xia Yuanji had a smile on his face. Although Xu Jingchang was shrewd, his time in officialdom was too short, and some things still could not be uncovered.
"Let me ask you, who does your Majesty like the most in your heart?"
Xu Jingchang smiled and said: "Of course it's Chen Ying."
"That's it. In this kind of matter, disobedience to the emperor is useless. What's more, Chen Ying has a bad reputation. What will happen even if he becomes the censor of Zuodu? You must understand that Ke Dao Yan Guan and other places
It's different... the ordinary censors below also have the power to hear what's going on, and as long as they find the right opportunity, they can also impeach the top figures."
Xu Jingchang raised his brows and couldn't help but think of Yuan Gang. He was probably already in Qufu, but he didn't know what kind of trouble he would make.
Xia Yuanji is right in what he said: Ke Dao Yan Guan really has a lot of autonomy and will not completely obey the orders of Zuo Du Yushi.
Although people like Chen Ying can win over a few courtiers, it is very difficult to influence the entire court. After all, the Supervisory Office is only one of the three judicial departments, and there are also the Ministry of Punishment and Dali Temple watching. Those two yamen are not
Chen Ying will be left alone.
Of course, Chen Ying could also bypass them and cooperate with Jin Yiwei... But the problem is that Xu Jingchang is unwilling to be his knife. After all, there are different levels between people's hatred and dog's hatred.
Xu Jingchang didn't want to be dug out of the grave and whipped...
"Lao Xia, I want to ask you something." Xu Jingchang pulled up his chair and approached Xia Yuanji.
Xia Yuan Jixin said that you want to ask me for advice. He also pulled up his chair and said happily: "Tell me."
"Lao Xia, you see it is like this. If you let Xinke Jinshi go down, there will definitely be conflicts with the local government. Then all kinds of impeachments will come one after another. What do you think we should do? Someone must protect them. Otherwise, I'm afraid that Xinke Jinshi will suffer.
...But, I am afraid that they will do whatever they want, so how can I control the speed here?"
After hearing this, Xia Yuanji had a smile on his face. This matter really requires careful handling.
Not all new scholars are kind, and there must be some who are arrogant and do whatever they want... put them down, there are hundreds of them. If they are all backed by Duke Dingguo, or if he is backed by Shangshu Xia, they will definitely destroy it.
According to the rules, when the courtiers are collectively impeached, even the two of them cannot bear it.
Again, the court has rules. There are disputes below, mutual impeachment, and the censorship and censorship. These are the normal procedures of the court. If you forcefully interrupt them and insist on listening to you, then
That's transgression.
Unless you want to imitate Grand Master Dong, Prime Minister Cao... or else, the powerful ministers have no choice but to do so.
Because if you don't seize power, you won't be able to protect all your subordinates, and if you can't protect the people below you, they won't do anything with you... Therefore, when it comes to arrangements and mutual restraints between officials, it's a big question, and it's not something that can be done casually.
"Ding Guogong, I can't sit back and ignore these new scholars...but we must also pay attention to methods. It is best to block Dali Temple."
"Dali Temple?"
"Yes!" Xia Yuanji said with a smile: "All cases involving officials must be major cases. Major cases will be impeached by the Supervisory Office, tried by the Ministry of Punishment, and reviewed by Dali Temple. In other words, as long as Dali Temple does not nod, this case will not be resolved.
.”
Hearing this, Xu Jingchang understood instantly, "As long as Dali Temple is blocked, there will be no resolution and there will be a chance for a comeback."
Xia Yuanji nodded with a smile, "Yes, that's what it means."
Xu Jingchang also smiled meaningfully, and the two of them immediately had an idea.
Soon Xu Jingchang and Xia Yuanji were called to the imperial court, and Jian Yi and others were also present.
Zhu Di said: "Dong Guo, you have arrested many people? What crimes do they have?"
"Replying to your majesty, the magistrate of Jiangning County has embezzled tens of thousands of dan of food that has been used to relieve the victims over the years. The magistrate of Yingtian failed to provide relief to the victims and even resold the food. After I learned about it, I decisively took over the case. The case is still under trial."
Zhu Di snorted: "It's so audacious. Under the emperor's feet, to be like this, I really don't know how heartless and crazy it is. We must strictly judge and show no mercy."
Xu Jingchang immediately said: "I will obey the order, but... there is still a little trouble."
"What's the trouble? Could it be that you don't dare to handle the case?"
"That's not true." Xu Jingchang said: "Your Majesty, I have almost completed the investigation of the case, and it needs to be transferred to the Sanfa Division... Now that there is a vacancy in the Zuodu Censorship, I boldly suggested that the Zuodu Censorship be filled immediately.
It’s easy to handle the case.”
Zhu Di thought for a while and then said: "I have already told you that I will let the ministers recommend you. Do you have anyone to choose?"
At this time, without waiting for anyone's reaction, Xia Yuanji took a step forward and said, "Your Majesty, I believe that the Minister of Dali Temple, Wu Zhong, is loyal, hard-working and smart. He has been in the court for a long time and has rich experience. He has often handled cases with the Inspectorate in the past and is familiar with the situation.
His promotion to Zuodu Yushi will enable him to smoothly implement government affairs and cooperate with the handling of cases without any stagnation. I hope Your Majesty will learn from this."
As soon as these words came out, almost everyone was shocked.
Even Wuzhong himself promoted him to Zuodu Yushi?
From the third grade to the second grade, it is almost a step to reach the sky.
Wu Zhong couldn't help but feel happy that he was still promoted at such a young age, and his beard trembled slightly.
But Jian Yi was furious... This is not a matter of promotion in Wuzhong, but how dare you, Xia Yuanji, interfere in personnel affairs?
Do you still want to steal the staff's job?
Zhu Di pondered for a moment. He wanted to promote Chen Ying, but it would not be bad to promote Wuzhong to Zuodu Yushi. There are already many people making trouble. In a place like the Inspectorate, if Chen Ying has the final say
, it is estimated that officials lose their heads every day.
"Wu Qing's family is honest and capable, and he is a suitable candidate...but who will take over as the Minister of Dali Temple?"
At this time, Xie Jin hurriedly stood up and said, "Your Majesty, I think it is most appropriate for Dali Temple to be transferred to Shaoqing Lu Zhen."
"He? Is it suitable?"
Xie Jin said: "Your Majesty, Lu Zhen, the young minister of Dali Temple, was a Taizu student who entered the officialdom. At that time, Emperor Taizu ordered the Taizu students to go to various places to survey the fertile land in order to determine the amount of land tax. Lu Zhen did a good job and was appreciated by Taizu.
He was promoted to the post of Shandong Prefect, and then served successively as the head of the Ministry of Household Affairs and Peking. During the Jingnan period, Lu Zhen obeyed the destiny and assisted His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and did many things. He served as the prefect of Zhending and was transferred to Dali Temple last year.
, served as Shaoqing. He is capable in doing things, familiar with local people's conditions, and is proficient in criminal names. He is truly a rare talent."
Xie Jin said a lot... There are only a few real key points. Lu Zhen was one of the few officials who was born as a concubine, and did not participate in the imperial examination.
This was also the characteristic of Zhu Yuanzhang's employment at that time. He promoted supervisory students on a large scale and did not specifically appoint Jinshi who came from the imperial examination.
Not only was Lu Zhen's background different from that of the courtiers, he also took refuge with Zhu Di early and made great contributions during the crisis.
Moreover, he has surveyed the place and understood the situation below.
Putting these advantages together, he is simply the chosen minister of Dali Temple.
Next, I will arrange for the new Jinshi to go and experience things. I can't help but protect him.
Zhu Di pondered for a while, then nodded and said: "It's really good, let's do it like this."
The emperor nodded, and Wuzhong, minister of Dali Temple, was promoted to censor of Zuodu, and Shaoqing Lu Zhen took over as minister of Dali Temple... This matter seemed to be calm, Wuzhong and the courtiers were together, Guo Zi fell, and Wuzhong took over
, it can be regarded as guarding the crucial Inspectorate for the courtiers, and it will not be a raging war, which is definitely a good thing.
As for the Minister of Dali Temple, although he is one of the Nine Ministers, he has the least authority after all. Moreover, for people like Lu Zhen, he is the candidate in Zhu Gaochi's pocket.
If the prince wants to install his cronies, no one will stop him.
That’s it!
Jian Yi was holding back his anger and couldn't do anything to Xia Yuanji for a while, so let's leave it at that!
The case was still going on. Xu Jingchang returned to the mansion. He stopped by the main house and said casually: "Where is Xu Qin? Where is the Tanhua Lang?"
Upon hearing his question, someone immediately said: "Dong Dingguo, our young master is still studying!"
"Studying? Didn't he pass the exam? Why does he want to take the exam again?"
As Xu Jingchang said that, he came to the study room and found that Xu Qin was really holding a book and studying it carefully.
"Okay, do you really want to take the exam again?"
Xu Qin raised his head and glanced at Xu Jingchang, his face slightly red, "I didn't mean that, I was just worried that my lack of knowledge would make others see my faults."
Xu Qin lowered his head and said: "The article I wrote was an inspiration from time to time... In terms of academic foundation, I am much worse than others. If I become an official in the court, I am afraid that I will lose my family.
, so I want to read more books to avoid making a fool of myself."
Xu Jingchang smiled, "Very good, you are ambitious. Our family is not only a famous general, but also a scholar... I support you very much, come on!"
Xu Qin's face turned redder and redder, "I only know the depth after taking the test once. What kind of sect is this? Don't tease me."
Xu Jingchang shook his head, "How can this be called teasing! I think your idea is very good, and the article is well written. We must pay attention to the accumulation of wealth and do everything possible to prevent the outflow of wealth. We must be diligent and frugal to accumulate wealth. This is also advocated by Confucianism.
It’s done openly and honestly!”
Xu Qin was startled, "Are you serious?"
"Of course, I will give you a topic now... Go and investigate, how much are the gifts given to the vassal countries in recent years worth? See how much of the Ming Dynasty's wealth has been lost."
Xu Qin pondered for a moment and nodded immediately, "Okay, I'll go now!"
This guy was still impatient and would do what he said. Three days later, Xu Qin came to Xu Jingchang with a list in hand, his brows knitted into a knot.
"I made a rough calculation. In the past two years, the rewards given to Champa, Japan, Java, Annan and other countries alone were no less than 50,000 pieces of silk, which is equivalent to about one million taels of silver! The Ministry of Rites has gone too far."
