Chapter 122 Night Party at the Prime Ministers Mansion (Part 1)
At the same time that Gao Pragmatic and Liu Xin were discussing world events, guests also came to the residence of Grand Master Shen Shixing.
This guest was none other than Zhang Cheng, one of the eunuchs Bingbi, the Superintendent of Ceremonies.
Shen Shixing and Zhang Cheng sat separately as guest and host. There were high-quality teas on the coffee table beside them. The tea was obviously fragrant, but it did not arouse the slightest interest in them.
"There are no heroes at that time, so Zhuzi became famous." I don't know how long it took before Zhang Cheng broke the silence: "Yuanfu, our family told us a long time ago not to let Gao Pragmatic win another battle, why didn't you listen?
What? It's good now that he has made such a big contribution, and some people even spread rumors from the palace, saying that the emperor wants to knight him... Yuan Fu, aren't you anxious? "
Shen Shixing fell silent for a moment and said in a deep voice: "Gao Qiu's ability to win the battle is due to his own ability, and it is not because of my help. How can you say whether I will listen or not?"
Zhang Cheng sighed: "At this time, Yuan Fu is still such an old spirit, which really makes our family admire him. It's just that what Yuan Fu said, our family can't understand - it's not Yuan Fu's recommendation that makes him pragmatic.
How could Fan get the order and lead his troops to the west?"
Shen Shixing suppressed his dissatisfaction and said calmly: "Gao Pragmatic's western expedition led less than 40,000 troops, but what kind of opponents did he face? Kuai worship 60,000, Huo Luochi 50,000, Bo Shuo Ketu
Although they did not use all their strength, there were still 40,000 to 50,000 elite troops. The total of these three parties was at least more than 150,000 troops.
I also said openly and secretly before the expedition that this battle must be fought quickly. If you delay it for one more day, the Tumen may take the opportunity to invade the west. What does Bingbi think the role of these foreshadowings of mine is? It’s just that if you can’t speed up your pursuit of truth,
Ding Xixi, every one of them will be turned into a noose around his neck, and the myth of his invincibility will be shattered. So, Bingbi still blames today's incident because of my recommendation before? "
Zhang Cheng thought for a moment and said: "Since Yuan Fu did not intend to connive, why didn't he do something after Gao Pragmatic sent troops to ensure that he could not complete these tasks?"
"Do something?" Shen Shixing's tone was slightly colder: "I am the chief assistant of the imperial court. In order to restrict a certain person, I have neglected the success or failure of tens of thousands of troops. In order to restrain a certain faction, I have neglected the safety of three provinces and four towns. What should I do as the chief assistant?
Yeah? This is what the culprit deserves!"
"Huh?" Zhang Cheng also sneered: "The success or failure of tens of thousands of troops, the safety of three provinces and four towns, can we only place our hopes on Gao Jingshi? Yuanfu, you should know that this is exactly what we want
A situation that must be avoided - the emperor must not be allowed to think that the prosperity and decline of the world depends on this one person! Otherwise... what is the use of the cabinet?"
Shen Shixing's eyelids twitched and he took a deep breath: "The cabinet appoints talents and strategizes, so what does it mean to keep it useless?"
Zhang Cheng waved his hand and said: "If only Gao Pragmatic can be used, wouldn't it be a joke to promote talents? As for strategizing, we don't know which suggestion or order Gao Pragmatic won this battle because he listened to the cabinet?"
Shen Shixing was at a loss for words for a moment, and then he said after a while: "In any case, the chaos in the northwest is a big event. Even if Shi Xing cannot take the initiative to help, at least he cannot add insult to injury and set up obstacles for high pragmatism."
"Haha, what a selfless person with a big heart, Yuan Fu's mind is really admirable, but..." Zhang Cheng obviously didn't really want to praise Shen Shixing, and said with a mocking face: "It's just that now Gao Pragmatism has made great achievements, and even let people
There is an intention to ennoble him in the palace. If this comes to pass, it will be a hundred times more difficult for Yuan Fu to touch him in the future than it is now."
Zhang Cheng's words are not without purpose. As we all know, rulers of all dynasties will use titles and titles as an important political means to win over people's hearts. There is a big difference between titles and official positions. Official positions represent officials.
The actual rights in hand, and the title represents status and treatment. According to regulations, the title often transcends the official system, that is, it is higher than the general official position. The same is true for the noble system adopted by the Ming Dynasty.
The title system of the Ming Dynasty has been relatively programmed, institutionalized, and legalized. The title system of the Ming Dynasty not only has the same characteristics as other dynasties in the past, but also formed many of its own characteristics. The reasons for the formation of these characteristics are unique to the Ming Dynasty.
are closely related to social conditions.
For example, during the Ming Dynasty, the title system adopted two systems: the clan title system and the meritorious relative system. The five titles of king and duke, marquis, uncle, son, and baron were separated. This was a major feature of the Ming Dynasty's title system that distinguished it from the past.
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Moreover, the Lord only has a title and salary, and no longer has the fiefdoms of other dynasties. However, the emperor will give "Alchemy Iron Coupon" to show his merits and show the emperor's favor. In addition to being a symbol, the "Alchemy Iron Coupon" also enjoys the privilege of immunity.
Among the two systems, the clan title system was formulated in the early Hongwu period. The main titles established in the system are eight-level titles such as prince, county king, general of the country, general of the auxiliary country. These titles are entrusted to the royal relatives.
noble.
Different titles have different salaries. For example, the prince's annual salary was 50,000 dan, which was later reduced to 10,000 dan. However, the salary of these royal relatives and nobles was still much higher than that of officials who were ennobled under the system of meritorious officials and relatives.
In addition, there is the system of relatives of meritorious officials. In order to win over the relatives of meritorious officials and to prevent the emergence of kings with different surnames who would dominate and threaten their rule, the Ming Dynasty royal family established the five-waiting system in addition to the Zong family feudal system. In June of the third year of Hongwu
An edict was issued to stipulate the main titles and salaries of the five princes.
According to the regulations: the first rank is the Duke of the country, the Duke of the county, the first rank is the Marquis of the county. The first rank is the Duke, etc. - these titles do not have fiefs, and no matter how the merit is calculated, one thing is certain: those who have no military merit
No enfranchisement is allowed.
In terms of salary, a duke's salary ranges from 2,500 to 5,000 dan, and a marquis' main salary ranges from 1,000 to 1,500 dan.
These titles are divided into two types, one is lifelong, that is, it cannot be passed down, and the title will be cut off when the person dies. This type is called a floating title; the other is hereditary, with endless descendants.
Moreover, if you do not engage in "extension of favor" and maintain it forever, this is Spykship, which is commonly known as "retirement with the country." As for which kind of title to be given, it is undoubtedly based on the size of the military merits.
I just mentioned that the Ming Dynasty’s “Alchemy Book and Iron Coupon” system had its particularities. This is no lie. Compared with previous dynasties, this system is indeed different.
In the third year of Hongwu's reign, Zhu Yuanzhang rewarded 10 dukes and 20 marquises based on their merits. The system stipulated that "those who have not made military contributions to the country are not allowed to be knighted." However, some meritorious officials gradually appeared, holding
The phenomenon of "alchemy and iron coupons" being used as an excuse to destroy social order. Coupled with Zhu Yuanzhang's suspicion in his later years, he massacred meritorious officials, so the nobility system was destroyed.
During the Yongle and Jiajing years, the two emperors revised this system, but the general pattern remained unchanged. After Zhu Di, the founder of the Ming Dynasty, seized power, he rewarded people based on their merits based on the "Jingnan Change". However, at this time, there were also very few cases.
People who are not awarded titles based on military merit, such as Xu Cheng, the Yongxin Bo who solved the death of the consort and resolved the feud between Ming Chengzu and Princess Ningguo. Of course, this is an individual case and is not universal.
Time advanced to the Jiajing period. At that time, due to the willful behavior of the former Emperor Zhengde, the court began to have a situation where nobility was overflowing and military attachés were difficult to confer. In order to solve this problem, Emperor Jiajing put strict restrictions on the standards for enfeoffment. On the one hand, he reiterated
"Those who do not serve in the military service shall not be ennobled", on the other hand, it once again emphasizes the privilege of "iron certificates written in alchemy".
At this point, the title system of the Ming Dynasty was basically finalized.
Although Emperor Jiajing became a "Daojun Emperor" in the later period, it is undeniable that he was relatively wise in the early stages of his rule. To a certain extent, he was somewhat similar to Tang Xuanzong Li Longji. I have to say there are differences.
The point, that is probably because Emperor Xuanzong of the late Tang Dynasty was more famous for his infinite doting on Concubine Yang, while Emperor Shizong Jiajing was obsessed with Taoism.
So, in the early years of Jiajing, why did he once again reiterate that "those who do not serve the country without military merit are not allowed to be ennobled" and once again emphasized the privileges of "alchemy books and iron coupons"?
Emperor Jiajing was most recognized by later generations for his Machiavellian tactics. In fact, the two things mentioned above are also Machiavellian tactics.
"Those who do not serve in the military and civil society shall not be ennobled." This seems to be just a reaffirmation of the ancestral system. There is nothing special about it. What is great is that it wipes the butt of the Zhengde Dynasty and "brings order to order".
actually not.
"No one can be ennobled without military merit". Fundamentally speaking, it is to suppress the civil servant group that has gained absolute advantage in the court and put shackles on the civil servant group. This is to use a seemingly aboveboard reason to basically suppress the civil servant group.
Being shackles outside the Lord system prevents them from continuing to expand their "sphere of influence" and completely overwhelms the Lord system.
Why do you say that? If other merits besides military merit can also be knighted, then the civil servant group in charge of the court has all kinds of reasons to find civil servants who can be knighted and let these civil servants become lords. Over time, there will definitely be an overflow of lords.
Not to mention the disaster, and most of the lords will be granted the title by civil servants.
You must know that no matter how the military power declines, the imperial court system also stipulates that the world's guards need them to bear their names. In other words: the loyalty of the military power means that the military power of the world is always in the hands of the emperor, and he is always a strong supporter of the imperial power.
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So once the nobility has become one of the headquarters of the civil service group, how much imperial power will the emperor have left?
Emperor Jiajing saw through this essence very keenly, so he once again reiterated the ancestral system that "those who do not serve in the military community cannot be ennobled". This is actually one of the concrete manifestations of his imperial power.
As for the reasons for granting titles and certificates, there are two main reasons.
The first is to compensate the meritorious officials. In the feudal dynasty, the granting of titles and coupons was the highest treatment. The main reason why the emperor did this was to compensate the meritorious officials to consolidate his need for rule. As long as officials regarded the title as an extremely noble gift,
Incentive, then this kind of measure will definitely greatly promote their political enthusiasm.
The second is to calm people's hearts. For the officials in the court, the "Alchemy and Iron Coupon" is equivalent to a "heart-protecting pill", because obtaining it can exempt them from crime. In order to maintain his rule, the emperor needs to use this method to win over
Important officials.
However, overall, the Lord's privileges have been slowly decreasing.
For example, in the Hongwu Dynasty, although the clan nobles and meritorious officials at that time enjoyed many privileges, they were often swayed by the emperor's will when they conflicted with the imperial rule. At this time, the law lost its original effect in the past. Even if the lords enjoyed
"Elixir Book Iron Coupon" is a privilege to avoid death, but in fact their personal safety is also not guaranteed. Otherwise, how could Zhu Yuanzhang kill the heroes indiscriminately?
Later, especially before Emperor Jiajing reiterated that "those who do not serve in the military service shall not be ennobled", the ennoblement system no longer followed the previous standards, but was often directly determined by the emperor's will, and was even influenced by powerful ministers and eunuchs.
——For example, during the Zhengde period, Liu Jin controlled the government. Although the governor Shenying did not have any credit for opening up the territory, he was directly named a martial arts uncle because he had bribed Liu Jin and had a good relationship with Liu Jin.
In addition, the privileges of immunity from death have also been reduced. Especially after Jiajing, when the emperor issued "iron certificates of alchemy", the number of immunity from death was greatly reduced compared with the early period of the Republic of China. Although he was exempted from crime, he was inevitably punished.
Punishment - Avoiding death sometimes really means just avoiding death.
But no matter what, the "Alchemy Iron Coupon" is still the "Alchemy Iron Coupon", and its effectiveness is still huge.
It doesn't matter if a military general holds this thing in his hand. At most, he can use it when he is defeated, or after corruption, plunder, or other incidents, to make sure his head does not move. It is of no other use.
But if a civil servant has this thing, it will be very different. Some privileges will usually be written directly on the iron certificate, such as "Except for treason, if you commit any other crime, you will be spared once."
To reward you for your merit."
Most of the crimes committed by military generals are due to defeats, which usually have nothing to do with the change of power in the court. But what serious crimes can civil servants commit that require an iron certificate to absolve them of crime? That is almost nothing more than the change of power caused by political disputes.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! In other words, if Gao Pragmatic gets an iron coupon for an alchemy book, it means that even if Shen Shixing finds a chance to kill him directly, the chance is almost
It's free - just hand over the iron coupon of the alchemy book and you'll be done.
Finding Gao Pragmatic once is already difficult. Shen Shixing hasn't seen his shadow yet, and still expects to find two chances to kill him? So Zhang Cheng said, "If Yuan Fu wants to touch him in the future, it will be even harder than it is now."
A hundred times more." This is by no means alarmist.
In the final analysis, the military generals are not in power, and the iron certificate of the alchemy book is just that in their hands; while the civil servants are in power, and holding the iron book of the alchemy book is basically equivalent to an extra life, which is too difficult to deal with.
(The above refers specifically to the period after the Jiajing Dynasty reaffirmed the privileges of iron coupons in the Alchemy Book.)
It was precisely because of Jiajing's reaffirmation that during the Tianqi Dynasty, the 9,000-year-old Wei Zhongxian, who covered the sky with one hand, could only stare at the lack of cooperation from people such as the British Duke. This is a clear proof of the power of the iron certificate of the alchemy book after Jiajing.
Because its function is not only to avoid death, but also to become a unique symbol of power, making "living with the country" truly become an idea recognized by everyone, forming a routine and possessing inertia, not only
Just a slogan.
Faced with Zhang Cheng's straightforward words, Shen Shixing was silent for a moment, and finally made up his mind, saying: "The rebellion in the northwest has been suppressed by him and has become a fact that cannot be undone. For the current plan, we can only do our best to prevent it from going smoothly.
Fengjueer. I wonder if Bingbi has any clever tips to teach me?"
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