Although these people gathered under Zhang Ximeng were officials, they were more scholarly. For example, Song Lian presided over the Hanlin Academy, which was a very academic yamen.
As for Ye Chen, he served as the Shaoqing of Dali Temple and was responsible for drafting bills full-time, taking over the powers that originally belonged to the Ministry of Punishment, while the Ministry of Punishment was responsible for executing and implementing the legal provisions.
It can be seen from these changes that the official system of the Ming Dynasty is rapidly moving towards formalization and specialization. The rate of expansion of officials is still far slower than the improvement of efficiency. It is in a period of super strong ability to do things. It is different from the kind of redundant officials everywhere and too many people to do things.
Completely two different things.
In line with the principle of using it to death, Dali Temple is currently busy with several laws at the same time...the most core of which is the Land Law, which is also the lifeblood of the Ming Dynasty.
Zhang Ximeng has been advocating land equalization for such a long time, and he has made repeated orders. Everyone is used to it. But there is still one most critical thing missing, which is to turn the land equalization order into a permanent land law, and Ye Chen is responsible for this.
A piece of work has now begun.
"I don't expect to be able to accomplish so many things. As long as I can fix these few laws in this life, it will be enough to make me smile. When I die, I don't want to be buried with anything, just put these few laws in a box.
If you are buried with me here, I will be satisfied."
When everyone heard what he said, they all vomited acid. You are even more shameless than Song Lian. These laws are the foundation of the Ming Dynasty. You are destined to be famous forever. If you dislike it, leave it to us!
Ye Chen also felt the unkind looks from everyone, and quickly changed the subject. He smiled and said to Jiang Nan: "Jiang Tiju, you can also tell me! The branch office has been very prestigious in the past few years. After becoming an official in the Ming Dynasty,
Quite rewarding, right?”
Jiang Nan put down his chopsticks, looked at the big guy, and suddenly smiled.
"No! If it weren't for this official uniform, how could I sit at the same table with all the distinguished men? In the past, they wouldn't have kicked me out, saying I didn't understand the rules and had offended the great gentlemen!"
Everyone was stunned and couldn't help laughing.
Although the status of women has improved a lot, there are still not many who can get into the office. Taking various government offices as an example, the only one who can take charge of a government office is Jiang Nan.
However, there are some female officials in charge of official documents in other yamen, especially the Yushitai, who are ahead of all yamen. Perhaps they feel that female officials are not easy to bribe, or they feel that the current female officials have nothing to do with other officials. Qingqing
Bai Bai works conscientiously and is very attentive in checking out corrupt officials.
Recently, four female officials in the Yushitai were promoted to supervisory censors because of their decisiveness in handling cases, and they were known as "Nv Qingtian", which was also a popular story.
"Jiang Tiju, please stop telling jokes. I don't dare to underestimate you, otherwise the Du Branch will investigate our Dali Temple as a Weili Temple!"
Ye Chen's words made the audience laugh. At this time, Song Lian suddenly said: "Jiang Tiju, have you ever considered getting married?"
This question was very abrupt. Normally, Song Lian would not speak. But now that the atmosphere was harmonious, he had the courage to ask.
Jiang Nan didn't care, and just said lightly: "No."
"Then, why is that?"
"That's not why!" Jiang Nan said: "Now I really like to deal with the affairs of the branch, check the accounts, punish the evil and promote the good, and I can sit at the same table with all the sages and talk loudly. Once I get married, I will be the husband and the child.
Who will be responsible for having children and raising children? Is it possible that I have to take off my hard-earned official uniform? I won't do it!"
Song Lian was slightly stunned and couldn't help but said: "Jiang Tiju, you can't say that. Marriage is still very important. As for other things, you can slow down a little. Or you can transfer him to a leisurely yamen. That's not impossible."
When he said this, he glanced at Zhang Ximeng secretly.
Zhang Ximeng, who had been silent all this time, shook his head and said: "How can this be done! If you have to give up or change your official position because of your marriage, it would be unkind. You, Bachelor Song, did not resign as a Hanlin scholar just because you have an old wife at home!
"
Song Lian's old face fell instantly, and he smiled bitterly and said: "Xiang Zhang, this, this cannot be confused with the same thing!"
"What can't be confused?" Zhang Ximeng said: "You are just saying that after a woman gets married, she has to have children and cannot concentrate on official duties. It is not as convenient as a man... You are right, but you cannot take this as a rejection of female officials.
reason."
At this time, Liu Bowen, who had eaten three lion heads, suddenly raised his head and said, "Yes, I support Prime Minister Zhang's view."
Song Lian grinned bitterly, "Can't the lion's head shut your mouth?"
Liu Bowen smiled and said, "This is how I see it. If a female official weighs the pros and cons and is willing to give up, there is nothing to say. But this cannot become a rule of the court, otherwise others will use it to criticize the female official. And Brother Jing Lian, you
Have you seen it somewhere? Do you know what peasant women look like? Do you think they are in confinement?"
"Aren't you going to sit down?" Song Lian was surprised.
Liu Bowen shook his head, "It's not that I can't sit, it's that I can't afford to sit! For a whole month, I have to be served by others for food and drink at home. Farmers can't afford it! Many women have to go to the fields to work in about ten days after giving birth...
… I have also seen with my own eyes a woman who had a miscarriage on the first day and then went to cut rice the next afternoon. There was nothing to do, she was just a poor woman."
Old Liu successfully brought the topic back to people's livelihood and economy, and everyone's interest suddenly dropped a lot. When they looked at the delicacies on the table, they also instantly became less interested.
How difficult people’s livelihood is!
At this time, Zhang Ximeng took over the words, "The suffering of survival falls on both men and women, and it is everyone's business. This is the most basic truth. Therefore, when it comes to the issue of female officials, we cannot simply distinguish between men and women.
I feel that men are useful but women are not... Having children is not just a woman's business. If a short break is needed due to childbirth leave, this should not be regarded as a loss to the court, but should be seen as an increase in the world...an increase
A new member is good for the whole."
"And there is one more thing. Have you ever thought about it? A mother who is knowledgeable and capable, a mother who can look at the world and has a heart for all directions... is it possible that her children will be better? If we put our sights on
In the longer term, if this female official mother cultivates a great talent for the world, a future prime minister, or other outstanding talents... Do you still think that taking a vacation is a loss?"
"this……"
Everyone present was stunned. Can they still see the problem this way?
But if you think about it carefully, it does make sense.
Having children, multiplying and prospering is the business of everyone in the world.
An excellent mother is indeed more conducive to the growth of her children. Marrying a virtuous wife has long been a consensus among the people.
Let me ask you, if a woman can carve her own way in the officialdom and gain an advantage in competition with a group of men, can she be said to be not excellent?
Talent, the next generation!
This is the hope of a country.
Song Lian was a little stunned and quickly bowed in admiration, "Mr. Zhang's great opinion, I am completely in awe and sincerely impressed." Song Lian said again: "I also want to ask, Mr. Zhang, if you get married, do you mind if your wife works for an official?"
Zhang Ximeng smiled generously and said: "If you have the ability to be an official, that is a good thing. What do I mind doing?"
Song Lian bowed deeper this time and praised loudly: "Prime Minister Zhang's openness is truly unprecedented. I have nothing to say except admiration!"
Everyone else also followed the praise, except Jiang Nan. She frowned and asked: "Xiang Zhang, I think you are just talking about it, and the same is true for Song Xueshi. If you join the Duke of Qi as an official in the court, you don't need to avoid suspicion? No.
Will it attract gossip?"
At this time, Liu Bowen smiled and said, "Jiang Tiju, you are blinding yourself. Others may need to avoid suspicion, but Prime Minister Zhang's character and knowledge are known to everyone. If anyone insists on shouting to avoid suspicion, I think the branch office can
Check to see if this person is clean? Don’t think there’s something wrong with you!”
"Okay!" Jiang Nan said with a smile: "It's settled. If someone really chews the truth by then, I will check his account and fall into my hands. Don't blame me for being rude!"
With that said, Jiang Nan picked up a piece of honey-glazed fire recipe and started eating it by herself, unaware of the meaningful looks in her eyes.
Song Lian and Liu Ji nodded incomprehensibly. They were tacitly understanding each other and were thinking about whether to continue talking... At this time, Guo Ying suddenly rushed over and saw them having a dinner together. Guo Ying was so envious that her mouth watered.
.
"Xiang Zhang, I, I am also your subordinate! Why did you forget me?"
Sun Yan said rudely: "Don't join in the fun. The Guards Department has always been directly under the superiors, and Prime Minister Zhang has never exceeded his authority!"
Song Lian also said: "That's right, Commander Guo, we are having fun together, both superior and subordinate, why are you here to cause trouble?"
Guo Ying smiled bitterly and shook his head, "I don't want to disturb you, but there are indeed great things going on, I have to say."
"What's going on?" Song Lian asked subconsciously.
Guo Ying paused and said nothing, but Song Lian immediately realized something. At this time, Zhang Ximeng got up and took Guo Ying to the next room.
"Tell me, what is it?"
"Prime Minister Zhang, not long ago, Mao Gui sent Tian Feng to Yingtian, hoping that we can provide 200,000 shi of military rations, 3,000 pieces of armor, and some crossbows to restrain the cavalry. He was preparing to rescue Liu Futong, but he was struggling with food and wages.
We were short of weapons, so we asked for help."
Zhang Ximeng was startled, "We can't agree to this hastily. We also need to raise our troops for the Northern Expedition. Mao Gui can assist us, but he can't affect us."
Guo Ying nodded, "Indeed, Mr. Li means the same thing, but things have changed recently."
"What changes?"
"It's that Tian Feng... He, he said that if the Ming Dynasty has a sage king and famous ministers, he will definitely be able to rule the world... He, he wants to see Prime Minister Zhang."
"See me?"
Guo Ying nodded, "Yes, I guess he wants to talk to Xiang Zhang about surrendering."
Zhang Ximeng frowned slightly, and Guo Ying added: "Tian Feng was once a rebel soldier in the Yuan Dynasty, and he was very powerful. He now occupies Dongping, with a total of 20,000 to 30,000 troops. He is also top-notch under Mao Gui."
General, if he can surrender, most of the Han and Song troops in Shandong will belong to us."
Zhang Ximeng, however, did not nod hastily, but murmured: "Among noble men, there are dragons and phoenixes, while Tian Feng is just a lone bird!"
"Let's go, I'm going to see Tian Feng." Zhang Ximeng walked away...