When Jian Yi came out of the General Administration Department, the bright sunshine made him feel dizzy and shuddering. What was the problem?
It seems that Xu Jingchang agreed too happily.
In fact, the disadvantages of allowing local governments to be manipulated by the people below have existed since ancient times, and few court officials were willing to take care of this mess.
This cannot be explained clearly in one or two sentences.
Xu Jingchang's theory of flowers in dung is certainly wonderful, but there are other reasons, such as the hard work of officials in the capital. If you want to make some money and get some benefits, you can only rely on going outside or going out on errands.
The most important one is to be dispatched to take the provincial examination.
The princes of Hanlin are said to be pure and noble, but in fact, being pure means being pure, but being noble is not necessarily noble. If you are young, you will be like a poor man, which is very difficult.
If Hanlin officials want to make a fortune, they generally have two ways. One is through banquets, which means giving lectures to the emperor, and then according to logic, the emperor will give banquets.
And at this time, not only can you eat, but you can also take, not only food and drink, but also expensive tableware, gold and silver utensils.
Bringing them all back and having a sutra banquet is considered the best money-making technique for a learned Hanlin.
Another method is to send out examiners. Every imperial examination year, officials from the Hanlin Academy are selected and sent to various provinces to serve as examiners for the provincial examinations.
Needless to say, there is no need to say how much profit you can get by presiding over a provincial examination... and there is no need to cheat for personal gain or leak examination questions. These are all too obvious.
You only need to reveal your writing style and show your preferences, and those who are interested will naturally know how to cater to the examiner.
After all, the quality of eight-part essays is a highly subjective thing, and you can promote the people you want without even realizing it.
It is not difficult at all to preside over a provincial provincial examination and get a few thousand taels.
This is just the Hanlin officials, like the Inspectorate, the Household Department, and the Personnel Department, all of them have their own little tricks.
Generally speaking, if local officials are bad and greedy, they can get more money if they go on errands, and it is easier to collect money.
Otherwise, the place is full of people like Hai Rui and Bao Zheng, and high officials from the imperial court will get their heads broken.
"These are all trivial matters, but there is actually one thing that I have always been wary of." Jian Yi muttered to Xia Yuanji.
And Xia Yuanji was also a smart guy, and he understood immediately, "I understand, are you afraid of local officials entering the court?"
Jian Yi sighed: "During the Hongwu Dynasty, when ministers went out, they were envoys, and when envoys came in, they were ministers. Officials in the court and local areas were promoted without any hindrance. At that time, most of the officials in the court were smart and capable.
It’s just that over the years, it has become less and less.”
Xia Yuanji chuckled, "Yes, the imperial official and the foreign official are actually two different paths. Although they lead to the same goal by different paths, the princes in the court don't want anyone to compete for their position. Jian Tianguan is in charge of the official department, which can be regarded as helping everyone.
Busy, Xu Jingchang is so capable, but he didn't touch this matter, his ability is also very ordinary."
Jian Yi didn't think so. "In recent years, he has driven away the supervisory censor, the thirteen officials from the Ministry of Household Affairs, and even the officials from the Ministry of Works. The remaining people are not because he doesn't want to, but because His Majesty doesn't."
Allowed. You and I can be regarded as simple in the heart of the emperor, and cannot be shaken easily."
When the two ministers said this, they both fell silent at the same time. What will happen to the issue of official salaries this time?
If the place burns down, no one can say whether the fire will spread to the official and household departments.
Xia Yuanji thought over and over again, "Jian Tianguan, it seems like we will have to sacrifice local officials, otherwise we won't be able to escape."
Jian Yi nodded, "I agree, but I'm afraid it's not enough."
The topic fell into silence again. If it didn't mean enough, it would naturally depend on Xu Jingchang's meaning.
What is the Peony King of the Ming Dynasty planning?
Xu Jingchang called Hu Hui over, "The current evaluations from various ministries are still not very good?"
Hu Xi said: "Indeed, the world is in chaos, and it is natural that the court officials are incompetent."
"What about the local government? What's the evaluation?"
Hu Xi smiled bitterly and said, "It's hard to say."
"Hard to say?"
Hu Xi said: "It's just hard to say. After all, when our people go down, there are many places where we are not allowed to check at all. They hold the people tightly, how can we hear a bad word?"
Xu Jingchang was stunned for a moment, and then sighed: "Now that things have come to this, some extraordinary measures must be taken."
After Xu Jingchang finished speaking, he did not hesitate to ask Hu Hui more questions, and went directly to the palace to meet Zhu Di first.
The king and his ministers chatted for almost an hour before Xu Jingchang came out and then went to Wuying Hall, where he happened to see Yang Rong, Yang Shiqi and others.
"I've met Duke Dingguo."
Xu Jingchang smiled and waved his hand, asking them to sit down.
"Both Bachelor Yang, everyone knows that the salaries of officials in Beijing are too high... But what everyone doesn't know is how much money the local government takes and how much the officials are corrupt. Can you have a preliminary estimate?"
The two of them were stunned for a moment, and then Yang Shiqi bowed and said: "Mr. Dingguo, since the feudal prince's palace was abolished, the local area has been able to reduce its food supply by five million shi every year. After the farmland of the feudal prince's palace was handed over to the local government, another million shi of land can be added.
As a result, for more than a year, only 800,000 shi of grain were paid to the imperial court, and the rest was withheld."
Yang Rong also said: "Let's talk about the fire consumption. His Royal Highness has implemented strict rectification in Jiangxi. The fire consumption alone has been reduced by three million taels. In other words, in the past, Jiangxi Province exploited an additional three million taels from the people every year.
.Looking at the entire Ming Dynasty, how much money the 13 provinces cost is so shocking that I dare not think too much!"
Xu Jingchang nodded, "Is there more?"
"Yes." Yang Shiqi added: "In recent years, the imperial court has encouraged industry and commerce. Although tax districts have been set up, local governments can still find ways to increase it. Even for a county, it is not difficult to increase the commercial tax by 18,000 taels per year.
.”
Xu Jingchang nodded and said: "These things are indeed shocking. I didn't expect that our Ming Dynasty would have so many shortcomings. What do you two think, and how can we cure them?"
When Xu Jingchang asked for advice, both of them fell into silence. This was a matter of bad luck for whoever spoke.
After a while, Yang Rongcai said: "Ding Guogong, I am not talented in my lower official position. I am willing to go to the local government to organize the officials and eliminate the waste. If it fails, I am willing to accept the punishment."
Yang Shiqi paused and said, "I am also willing."
Faced with the two people's offers of invitation, Xu Jingchang waved his hand and said, "Just have these words in your mind. Don't say them out, especially not at tomorrow's political meeting."
The two people were suddenly shocked and confused, "Ding Guo Gong, what do you mean?"
Xu Jingchang waved his hand again, "No need to ask any more questions, just remember what you say, it's better to remain silent."
After the explanation, Xu Jingchang went home to comfort his children.
As for Yang Rong and Yang Shiqi, they are also considered smart people in this world.
When Xu Jingchang said this, he must be holding back a big move.
It's just that I can't tell who will be the target of this move.
But maybe they won’t be the unlucky ones!
In a blink of an eye, we arrived at the Wuying Hall meeting.
Zhu Di and Prince Zhu Gaochi all arrived.
Xu Jingchang presided over the meeting as usual.
He first sighed: "Everyone, when you govern the country, you must first govern the officials. If the officials cannot govern well, the country will be uneasy! Especially local officials, the sky is high and the emperor is far away, and they are arbitrary and arbitrary. They often act unscrupulously, corrupt the country's laws, and harm the people. There are many places.
We cannot take it lightly.”
Jian Yi immediately said: "What Duke Dingguo said is very true. I think we must strictly rectify the place, kill some, punish others, and shock the people of the world, so that we can achieve miraculous results."
Xia Yuanji also followed: "Yes, I think it is better to select some smart and capable ministers and assign them to various places to supervise government affairs, strictly investigate corruption, and give an explanation to the court and the world."
The two of them sang and harmonized, and they had already revealed their formidable blades. It was already clear who should clean up the place.
Yang Rong was the first to raise the issue of official salaries. As you said, it is up to you to clean up the mess. Is this reasonable?
He is worthy of being the most powerful figure in the imperial court. This move is extremely fast and he uses it exquisitely and accurately, just right.
According to Yang Rong's temperament, perhaps taking the initiative to ask for more authority would be more effective. But Xu Jingchang has already told him not to take this issue, shut up and stop talking.
Yang Rong held back, and Yang Shiqi also lowered his head and stared at his boots.
Xu Jingchang smiled, "What the two ministers said is true. The place is indeed in lack of rectification. We must send important ministers to rectify it, so that we can get twice the result with half the effort... By the way, Your Highness, Jiangxi's officialdom has been greatly improved, and it's all thanks to Your Highness!"
The topic suddenly came to Zhu Gaochi. He paused and said: "I don't dare to take credit. In fact, as long as we can work together, it will not be difficult to rectify it."
Xu Jingchang said: "This is certainly a good thing... But in the Ming Dynasty, power is divided into three divisions, so it is difficult to truly work together. If the crown prince goes, there will be no problem. If ordinary ministers go, it will be difficult to do this.
prestige. Therefore, important officials must go there in person."
Zhu Gaochi smiled and said: "Ding Guogong's intention is to let the six ministers and nine ministers go to their places?"
Zhu Gaochi's seemingly casual words shocked many people present... Did His Highness the Crown Prince do this on purpose or accidentally?
What exactly does he mean?
Could it be that you want to force the nine ministers to go somewhere?
Yang Rong and Yang Shiqi were both silent, but their hearts were ups and downs, and their hearts were surging... Although they didn't speak much, there was murderous intent everywhere, and it was by no means a simple matter.
For example, Jian Yi and others wanted to sacrifice the local government, but they had to use Yang Rong and others to charge into the battle.
Whoever handles this matter will inevitably make mistakes. As long as they grasp the handle, the momentum of Yang Rong and others will be broken, and the fire will not reach the imperial court and the princes in Beijing will not be moved.
And how did Xu Jingchang cope?
He followed this group of people's words, but brought in the examples of the prince and Jiangxi, which was equivalent to infinitely raising the level of the expatriate officials.
Except for the six ministers and nine ministers, who else can match the level of the prince?
Quietly, the fire was burned on Jian Yi and others.
The depth of this skill is truly astonishing.
Speaking of which, these Hanlin officials really couldn't stand up to each other head-on, so it was absolutely right not to speak.
Zhu Gaochi's words had already made it difficult for others to deal with them. Even if they were frightened, they did not dare to speak casually.
Only Zhu Di, he hummed: "Prince, don't talk nonsense, the government in the court is busy, how can I leave your noble families?"
Zhu Gaochi smiled and said: "Father, that's what I said... As for whether I'm busy with government affairs, I don't know."
Zhu Di's eyes fell on Xu Jingchang, "Ding Guo Gong, do you think if Jiu Qing wants to go somewhere, can the court be busy?"
Xu Jingchang said: "Your Majesty, the imperial court has its own rules. It has been running well for such a long time. It is not a big problem if a few people are absent... Well, I am willing to take the initiative to invite you..."
"No!" Zhu Di interrupted directly, "The Secretary of General Affairs takes over the responsibility from top to bottom and takes into account both internal and external matters. If we lose you, we cannot lose you. Let's look at other people. Who is willing to share my worries?"
Who is willing to share my worries?
Who is willing to stand up?
Jian Yi and Xia Yuanji glanced at each other secretly, and their hearts were filled with chills. Xiang Zhuang's sword dance was meant for Pei Gong!
They are unlucky!
"Your Majesty, I am willing to go out to the capital for inspection."
Zhu Di smiled and said: "Jian Qing's family is a heavenly official, so he works hard! You really set an example for the ministers. You can only go to one province...Xia Shangshu, Fang Shangshu, Luo Shangshu, Lu Shangshu, you guys
How many of you are willing to go somewhere together?"
Everyone whose name was called was stunned. We are innocent!
Even though they were unwilling to do so, they could only bow and said, "I am willing to go."
In an instant, all six ministers in Beijing were to be replaced... No, there was also Huang Guan, the minister of rites.
