Jiajing received the imperial censor's memorial to impeach Xiao Feng, the scholar in Zhongshushe. The reason why he impeached Xiao Feng, the scholar in Zhongshushe, rather than Xiao Feng, the real person of Wenxuan, was because the content of the impeachment was that officials were doing business privately and used official misconduct.
Competition by legitimate means.
Although real people also have grades, strictly speaking, they are somewhat different from officials. The court's management is not as strict as officials.
The most disgraceful thing is that after winning, he mocked the businessman Tan Xinren in public, adding insult to injury and making the other party ashamed. It is really not the decent behavior of a disciple of a saint or a court official.
This censor is quite talented in literature, and some of his sentences are very powerful: "His methods are insidious, he competes with the people for profit, he is endlessly victorious, and he is aggressive. As a scholar, the saints despise him, but as an official, the national law does not tolerate him!"
Yan Song lowered his eyebrows and stood at the bottom: "Long live, I know that Xiao Feng is very popular with Long live, but the censor's memorial is well-founded. If you ignore it, I'm afraid the people will boil over and the Qing Dynasty will be in an uproar. Although the official position of Zhongshushe is low,
But he belongs to the cabinet and is a close minister of Banzai. Being discussed about him will inevitably affect Banzai's reputation."
Jiajing's face remained as usual, his eyes were slightly closed, and after a long time he said: "Then let's have a small court meeting to discuss it."
The candidates for the small court meeting are relatively fixed. Generally, Yan Song presides over it, Xu Jie listens, and Lu Bing guards Jiajing. The other ministers, ministers, etc., if they are related to the matter discussed, will join, and if they are not relevant, they will not be summoned.
Because this time it is about business, which is a matter of the Ministry of Revenue, so Pan Huang, the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, and Zuo Shilang, naturally have to be present when discussing the contract. Yan Song also mentioned that this transaction also involves the creation of a worldly outlook, so the Ministry of Works
The minister Zhao Wenhua also came, but Li Shi'ao, the minister of the Ministry of Industry, reported that he was ill.
With Zhao Wenhua, Yan Song's godson, serving as Zuo Shilang, there were many times when Li Shi'ao complained about his illness. The old man knew very well that I couldn't control you, but I would never take the blame for you! Whatever you did yourself, you should do it yourself.
Go ahead and do the hard work, and if something happens to you, I will at most take responsibility for your lax management.
Xiao Feng, a member of Zhongshushe, must attend the large court meeting, but he does not have to come to the small court meeting unless he is summoned. But today he is a party involved, so he must come.
After these people arrived, the small court meeting officially began. Yan Song first read the censor's bullets to everyone, and then sighed: "This matter has been discussed a lot, and the court still needs to make a statement. The court has attached great importance to business in the past two years.
, to encourage trade, but if North Korean and Chinese officials compete with the people for profit, it will be true."
Zhao Wenhua immediately expressed his support: "Moreover, Xiao Sheren's business covers a wide range of areas, from grain stores to construction teams. Those who know are Xiao Sheren's personal actions, and those who don't know them think it is the imperial court's instructions."
Tan Tong originally wanted to add fuel to the fire, but when he saw that Pan Huang made no move, he was not like Zhao Wenhua. The minister was not here and the minister was the king. He could not overstep too much, so he had to keep silent.
Jiajing looked at Xiao Feng: "Xiao Sheren, what do you have to say?" Xiao Feng was summoned today to serve as an official and compete with the people for benefit, so Jiajing's attitude was also very clear, and he directly called him an official.
Xiao Feng was also very cooperative and immediately changed his name to: "Long live my official, I have something unclear, and I would like to ask for your advice."
Jiajing nodded, Xiao Feng turned around and said: "My lords, the Ming Dynasty law stipulates that officials above a certain rank are not allowed to do business?"
Everyone present was familiar with the Ming Law, but no one was willing to speak because they all knew it was a loophole. However, Yan Song was already prepared. He signaled, and Zhao Wenhua jumped out immediately.
"Although the Ming Dynasty Law stipulates that no one above the fourth rank is allowed to do business, in fact over the years, as long as they are officials, they have not bothered to participate in business and compete with the people for profit! This is because officials like us are all scholars, farmers, industry and merchants, one after another.
Is there any reason to treat both the beginning and the end?"
Zhao Wenhua knew that Xiao Feng wanted to quote the Ming Dynasty Law to prove that his business was not illegal, so he used the morality of scholars to plug this loophole in advance. This is a typical example of you talking to me about the law, and I talking to you about morality.
It's a pity that Xiao Feng's understanding of this kind of sophistry came from later generations, and he directly crushed him for centuries: "Master Zhao, I am not in business, it's just Zhang Tianci who expresses his gratitude to me for helping him turn over with Taoism, and thanked me with his share capital.
, have I ever participated in the management of any of his shops?”
Zhao Wenhua quickly grasped the clue in Xiao Feng's words: "Although you were not directly involved in the business, you also said that you would help him with Taoism. This is the backstage of being a businessman. How is it different from doing business on your own?"
Xiao Feng looked at Zhao Wenhua in surprise and then at Tan Tong: "Is this really so? The lower officials did not know much about this not long after they joined the officialdom. I just saw that Zhao Shilang and Tan Shilang were living a very prosperous life by working as business backers, so
Isn’t it wrong to look at the talented people and think about learning a thing or two?”
Everyone present looked at Xiao Feng with different expressions. Zhao Wenhua and Tan Tong almost choked and rolled their eyes. Before Zhao Wenhua could say anything, Tan Tong ignored the etiquette of his subordinates and jumped over Pan Huang to fight Xiao Feng.
"Insolent! You are blabbering. How have I ever been a businessman's backend?" He glanced at Zhao Wenhua, and based on the principle of helping each other in the same boat, he added, "How has Zhao Shilang ever been a businessman's backend?"
Seeing that the flames of war were burning on Zhao Wenhua's head, Yan Song also stood up and said: "Xiao Sheren, you are discussing matters as an official now, so be careful what you say and don't bite others at will!"
When Zhao Wenhua saw his godfather helping him to stand up for him, his courage suddenly increased. He expected that Tan Xinren hated Xiao Feng to the core. Even if there was any evidence such as account books, it would not be possible for Xiao Feng to see it. He immediately said angrily: "That is, if you have
Just bring out the evidence. If you can't bring it out, if you slander a second-rank official of the dynasty, do you know what the crime should be?"
Jiajing watched these people argue quietly without making a sound, and even narrowed his eyes more narrowly than before. Huang Jin knew that he was already angry in his heart, but he was not sure which side it was for. Huang Jin
Seeing that the smoke from the incense burner had become a little thin, I quickly opened the cover and put a small piece of ambergris inside.
A refreshing fragrance emerged from the incense burner, which made Jiajing feel a lot better. He took a deep breath, and amid the smoke, he looked very immortal and extraordinary.
Xiao Feng smiled: "There is too much evidence, so I won't list them one by one. I just want to ask one thing. The Ministry of Household Affairs and the Ministry of Works each sent a doctor to collect glutinous rice from grain stores and construction teams across the capital.
What is it for?"
This... Zhao Wenhua and Tan Tong were at a loss for words at the same time. They thought Xiao Feng would talk about Xin Ren's annual profit distribution to them. They were confident that there was no evidence for this kind of thing. Even if Tan Xin Ren kept accounts, they could do unilateral accounting.
I didn't recognize it, but I didn't expect Xiao Feng to ask them to explain this matter.
The two looked at each other for a while, and finally Tan Tong stood up and spoke, because he was somewhat better at speaking. Zhao Wenhua was the minister of the Ministry of Industry. He definitely didn't buy the glutinous rice for eating, and he almost didn't do it for himself. After all, the Ministry of Revenue is in charge of money and food.
You can also give some reasons.
"The reason for this glutinous rice thing is, this, right! Because the price of glutinous rice in the market is too high, the Ministry of Household Affairs manages the world's money and grain, so it naturally has the responsibility to investigate, and it also has the responsibility to purchase and sell in the official name to stabilize prices!"
Tan Tong wiped his sweat and was very proud of his wit. Zhao Wenhua and Yan Song both glanced at him calmly and secretly praised his wit.
Xiao Feng exclaimed: "If that's the case, then it must be based on an order?"
Tan Tong was stuck again. Since it was an official action of the Ministry of Revenue, it should be requested before taking action, especially if money was needed to purchase it. He looked to Yan Song for help.
Because he knew that it was useless to look at Pan Huang at this time. Although Lord Shangshu was here, his attitude was actually the same as that of Shangshu of the Ministry of Industry. If Jiajing didn't ask directly, he would never say a word.
Yan Song had no choice but to speak again: "Banzai will take care of everything. There is no need to bother Banzai with such a small matter. It's okay if the cabinet knows about it."
Xiao Feng said again: "I see, as a member of the Zhongshushe, I also have the right to read the cabinet documents, but I have not seen this memorial. Could it be that this memorial was secretly sent to the chief minister? Such...
It’s a trivial matter, don’t think it’s a big deal.”
Yan Song's face tightened. He knew that Xiao Feng was chasing after him so closely and he couldn't fool him with lies. Because the memorials sent to the cabinet were all archived and recorded. If he said he had seen this memorial, what if Xiao Feng asked for it seriously?
After checking the records, Jiajing also spoke more truthfully, which made Jiajing realize that he lied for such a trivial matter and lost his Sacred Heart, which was not worth the gain.
"This matter is indeed very small, so the Ministry of Revenue did not submit a memorial. They just told me and I asked them to handle it first. As the chief minister, I still have this right."
When Yan Song said this, he was already taking a risk. He knew in his heart that although Jiajing delegated all state affairs to the cabinet, it was very concerned about the right to know. I can ignore it, but you can't hide it from me.
But other than that, he couldn't think of a better way in a hurry. He glanced at Jiajing. He didn't know if it was because of his inner feelings, but he always felt that Jiajing's calm and gentle face seemed a bit stiff amid the cigarette smoke.
Xiao Feng said with a smile: "It turns out that our government is already so flexible in handling affairs. This kind of thing that alarms the entire capital can only be done by the Minister of Household Affairs and the Chief Minister of the Cabinet. With such high efficiency, there is no need to worry about our Ming Dynasty not being prosperous.
I am a low-ranking official with little talent and little knowledge. I have learned a lesson today and I admire you very much."
As soon as these words came out, even if there was no misunderstanding, everyone felt that Jiajing's face seemed a little stiff.
Yan Song was anxious and angry. In fact, what he said in a hurry was not a big problem. If this matter did not involve other things, it was really not a big deal. It was certainly wrong that the Ministry of Finance did not submit a memorial.
Yes, but it’s not a big mistake; I didn’t tell Jiajing, so it’s not a big mistake.
But there are some things that cannot be said. Everyone knows that Jiajing does not want to interfere with the affairs of the court, but it can never be said openly.
It's just like you fought someone for 300 rounds last night, and you put on any number of postures. You can do it, but if you say it in front of the public, it would be shameless and obscene.
Especially with Yan Song's status, even if others can say this, Yan Song can never say it. You are the chief minister of the cabinet. You don't need to tell Jiajing about trivial matters. You are pointing at Jiajing's nose and telling everyone that Jiajing is lazy, Jiajing is useless, and there is no me.
He is nothing in charge of the court for him. And you see how awesome I am, he doesn’t even go through the normal procedures, he just says hello to Liu Bu and he has to do something!
It's like you not only described in detail the various postures of your 300-round battle, but the key point is that your identity is not that person's husband, but the old man next door. Is this kind of person still alive without being beaten to death?
Yan Song never expected that he would suffer such huge losses in order to rescue Tan Tong. He was furious, but he couldn't express his anger to Xiao Feng, who looked innocent and curious, so he could only glare at Tan Tong hard, making Tan Tong tremble.