During this banquet, Zhao Junchen actually accepted several court officials as his disciples, but the biggest gain was none other than Xiao Shancai.
After accepting Xiao Shancai as his disciple, Zhao Junchen often met with Xiao Shancai in the next few days, and they would talk secretly for a long time each time. No one knew what Zhao Junchen talked about with him, but in these days,
, Xiao Shancai seemed quite excited, and even after resigning to serve as a citizen, this excitement was not affected at all.
In fact, Zhao Junchen's request for Xiao Shancai was very simple. He would use his prodigal skills in eating, drinking and having fun to corrupt people's hearts and corrupt or win over some of the targets designated by Zhao Junchen, thus gradually becoming pawns in Zhao Junchen's hands.
And this is what Xiaoshan is best at.
It has to be said that Xiao Shancai is indeed a unique genius when it comes to eating, drinking, having fun, and seducing people into corruption. Regarding the things Zhao Junchen explained and the things he taught him, he not only comprehended them extremely quickly, but he was also able to draw inferences from one instance to another.
, but after just two or three days, Zhao Junchen could no longer teach him anything.
Therefore, after carefully explaining the purpose of his plan to Xiao Shancai, Zhao Junchen no longer wasted his thoughts and energy on it, and just left it entirely to Xiao Shancai.
After all, Zhao Junchen's power in the DPRK and Central Government has expanded too fast, but his foundation is unstable. The most important thing is to seize the time to consolidate the power in his hands. In addition, the redo of the accounts of the Ministry of Revenue is also a matter of great concern to Zhao Junchen.
, coupled with various government affairs and all kinds of overt and covert struggles, it is difficult to have the energy to take care of other things.
What's more, such a plan fell into the category of "conspiracy and conspiracy" after all, and even Zhao Junchen felt it was too despicable to be brought to the forefront.
It is better to leave professional matters to professionals.
And Xiao Shancai did really well.
………
Above the Ming Dynasty, there were the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Household Affairs, the Ministry of Industry, the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of War. They were collectively called six departments. Their existence was crucial. Although the emperor and the cabinet had great power, most of their decrees had to go through the six departments.
to execute.
In order to check and balance the power of the six ministries, Taizu of the Ming Dynasty also established six departments: officials, households, rituals, soldiers, punishments, and engineering. Each department has the position of "Duji Shizhong", which is only a seventh-grade official position. However, although the official position is low, the power
Que Da, in charge of attendants, admonitions, repairs, and relics. He has the power of "scientific copying", "scientific reference" and "cancellation". He is responsible for overseeing the affairs of the six departments of officials, households, rituals, soldiers, punishments, and work, and correcting them.
Its shortcomings.
After all, its nature is similar to that of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, but it is specially designed for the six departments.
Nowadays, everyone in the household department is in charge, and his name is Fan Binqi, but he belongs to the prince Zhu Heyu. In order to arrange Fan Binqi to this position, Zhu Heyu spent a lot of effort. It is clear at a glance what his intention is.
It's a pity that when Fan Binqi took office, Zhao Junchen had complete control of the household department. Fan Binqi had no idea what little tricks he made, so how could he deal with Zhao Junchen?
However, Fan Binqi's existence is, after all, an obstacle to Zhao Junchen. Although small actions can hide him, those big actions cannot.
For example, now Zhao Junchen wants to redo the accounts of the household department, but he is blocked by Fan Binqi.
Therefore, when "Heaven and Earth" was officially founded, according to Zhao Junchen's wishes, Xiao Shancai's first target was Fan Binqi.
………
Fan Binqi has been manipulated by Zhao Junchen over the years. To be honest, he is not a capable official, but he is indeed diligent and stubborn.
On this day, it was getting late. In the Liuke Yamen, Fan Binqi didn't think about getting off work until he had finished handling all the government affairs for the day.
Zhao Junchen wanted to redo the accounts in the Household Department and use some new accounting methods during the period. Fan Binqi was opposed to it. As a prince, he adhered to the principle of "everything the enemy approves of needs to be opposed." Fan Binqi's attitude was very
Determined.
What's more, based on Fan Binqi's understanding of Zhao Junchen, he always felt that Zhao Junchen's behavior contained some conspiracy that he could not yet understand.
Fan Binqi let out a sigh of relief as he closed the memorial in his hand that impeached Zhao Junchen for his wanton behavior in the Ministry of Household Affairs.
"I will present this information to Your Majesty tomorrow. I hope Your Majesty will be able to discern the details and not be deceived by Zhao Junchen."
Looking at the memorial in front of him, Fan Binqi murmured to himself, but his expression was a little unconfident.
After all, this time Zhao Junchen had good reasons. Those new accounting methods did have many benefits. They not only refined the accounts, but also made it more convenient to check the accounts. They also increased the efficiency of the treasury's money turnover. He really couldn't find it.
There are many reasons to object.
With a sigh, Fan Binqi saw that it was getting late, so he put the memorial in his sleeve and planned to go home to rest.
However, as soon as Fan Binqi stood up, he heard Hu Keyou's voice calling Niu Zhaoshan from outside his office room.
"Is Mr. Fan still there?"
Fan Binqi was slightly startled, but went to open the door anyway, only to see Niu Zhaoshan standing there with a smile on his face.
Fan Binqi politely raised his hand and asked, "It's so late. Is there anything wrong with Mr. Niu?"
Niu Zhaoshan is in the Sixth Section, and he is a mediocre person. Although he has no ability, he never causes trouble. Therefore, although Fan Binqi doesn't like Niu Zhaoshan, he doesn't dislike him very much, and his expression is also very polite when he speaks.
Seeing Fan Binqi appear, Niu Zhaoshan showed admiration on his face and sighed: "Master Fan, you are still here. I know that you will never return home until you finish your official business."
Fan Binqi nodded, with a serious look on his face, and said: "It's just my duty to eat the emperor's salary and be loyal to the emperor. Lord Niu is ridiculous. I wonder what Lord Niu wants to see me for?"
While talking, Fan Binqi seemed to feel that it was not appropriate to stand at the door of the room and asked Niu Zhaoshan to come into the room to talk.
But Niu Zhaoshan waved his hand and said: "No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no."
But we have never gotten together before. I have some free time today, so I just want to have a chat with Mr. Fan. I wonder if Mr. Fan would like to meet me?"
After hearing what Niu Zhaoshan said, Fan Binqi hesitated for a moment, and finally nodded and smiled: "Of course there is nothing wrong. You and I are my colleagues, and Lord Niu calls me, so how can I refuse? Lord Niu is too polite."
While talking, Fan Binqi tidied up and left the Liuke Yamen with Niu Zhaoshan. Under the leadership of Niu Zhaoshan, they rode a carriage together and rushed towards the west of the city.
Along the way, the two of them talked to each other wordlessly, and the atmosphere was harmonious.
However, when Niu Zhaoshan took Fan Binqi out of the carriage and came to the entrance of a hidden alley, Fan Binqi couldn't help but frown.
"Lord Niu, where are you taking me to?" Fan Binqi couldn't help but ask, "Isn't it to the place of secret prostitution?"
In this era, when officials from the DPRK and China gathered for talks, it was normal to go to a brothel, but brothels and secret prostitution were completely different. The former was legal, the latter was illegal, and Fan Binqi saw that the alley Niu Zhaoshan brought him to was in a remote and hidden location. , there were few pedestrians, it didn’t seem like there would be a tavern or a brothel, but it looked like a place where prostitutes gathered, and I couldn’t help but feel a little dissatisfied.
Regarding Fan Binqi's doubts, a strange meaning flashed in Niu Zhaoshan's eyes, but he was not angry. He just explained with a smile: "Master Niu is overly concerned. How could I take you to such an unclean place? Don't think this place is ordinary. In fact, a club just opened a few days ago. It is quite interesting and it is a legal business. The reason why it was opened here is just because it is quiet here and it only entertains guests who like peace and quiet."
After hearing what Niu Zhaoshan said, Fan Binqi put aside his doubts and continued chatting, then followed Niu Zhaoshan to a courtyard in the deepest part of the alley.
The gate of this courtyard is closed, and it looks like an ordinary house. The only thing that attracts attention is the wooden door sign on the door, which reads "Heaven and Earth".
Niu Zhaoshan pointed to this courtyard and said to Fan Binqi: "Master Fan, we are here, and this is it."
Fan Binqi looked at the door number of the courtyard and said with a smile: "In the world of heaven and earth, this store seems to be just an ordinary home, and the location is remote, but the tone is not small."
Hearing what Fan Binqi said, a strange look flashed in Niu Zhaoshan's eyes again, and he said softly: "Actually, it's not necessarily an exaggeration..."