In Wenyuan Pavilion, a new value room was packed out.
When Zhang Anshi came here, the ministers and scholars came to see him.
Zhang Anshi, the new bachelor of Wenyuan Pavilion, has an extremely special status.
He is truly a person who is not easy to mess with.
After all, if you provoke Duke Hu, he will scold you at most. If you provoke Duke Jin and Duke Yang, they will slander you at most. If you provoke Xie Jin, at most he will only be thinking about how to buy you a ticket to Java.
But it's hard to say that he offended the newly crowned King of the Song Dynasty, Zhang Anshi. Let's not mention the identity of this royal relative. In view of Jin Yiwei's evil reputation, he may not know when he will die.
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Zhang Anshi was very enthusiastic and smiled at them in an easy-going manner: "You're welcome, where is my room?"
So someone immediately came out and led Zhang Anshi to his exclusive room!
After entering the check-in room, Zhang An couldn't help but frown.
The duty room in Wenyuan Pavilion has always been small. After all, it is in the palace. It is not like in other ministries. As the head of a ministry, the minister or the ministers, the duty room is often spacious and bright.
You know, in this palace, even if you are a very popular minister, in the eyes of the emperor, you are just a secretary.
In view of the stingy style of the Ming emperors in the past, as long as they have a place to work, why bother?
"Your Highness, this is what Mr. Xie and Mr. Yang have personally confessed. They want to free up the largest room for your Highness..."
It was impossible for Zhang Anshi not to be disappointed, so he said gloomily: "Then do I still want to thank Mr. Jie and Yang Gong?"
This fellow didn't know how to answer.
I was momentarily embarrassed.
Zhang Anshi didn't care, he just sat down and said: "In a moment, I invite you all to come to my king's place for tea. I have important matters to discuss."
The hostess nodded like a chicken pecking at rice and hurried out.
Soon after, all the academicians from Wenyuan Pavilion gathered together.
Since the check-in room was too small, everyone had to smile and sit in the corners.
Yang Rong was the first to show a smile and said: "Your Highness, congratulations."
Zhang Anshi just smiled.
Hu Guang is different. He thinks that since Zhang Anshi is a prince, he should not be granted an official position. This is the rule of Emperor Taizu Gao. If this precedent is set, it will be difficult to say in the future.
Therefore, Hu Guang pursed his lips and looked depressed.
Xie Jin calmly said: "What your Highness wants to discuss is the matter of the new ministry?"
Since Zhang Anshi said that there was something important to discuss, everyone had already guessed that it must be Zhang Anshi's new mission.
To be honest, this matter was so big that several Wenyuan Pavilion bachelors were dumbfounded.
This is equivalent to Zhang Anshi leading the emperor's grandson, just like Meng Tian leading the prince Fusu and hundreds of thousands of horses to build the Great Wall for the Qin Dynasty. Oh, and Lian Chi Road was also built along the way.
It also means that for many years to come, many of Ming's national policies will revolve around this railway.
Not to mention, at the local level, the authority was greatly deprived of power by the Railway Department under the new ministry.
It can be said that it directly broke the local three-division system established by Emperor Taizu Gao.
The people sitting here are the smartest people in the world.
They may agree with the new policy, but they all have their own doubts about this new ministry.
Furthermore, even if you have the same political views, you, Zhang Anshi, are not from the same group as everyone else. Naturally, this inevitably makes people wary.
What is one's own?
Taking ten thousand steps back, we are like Xie Jin and Hu Guang. They read the same books and took the same exams. They are fellow villagers and have been colleagues for many years, so they can barely be regarded as one of their own. Many times, a look or a word can make a difference.
They can understand each other tacitly.
But Zhang Anshi is different. Zhang Anshi is like a tiger entering the wolf's den. Although everyone eats meat, the only thing they have in common is meat.
Yang Rong smiled and said: "Your Highness has a heavy responsibility, and I would like to hear some of His Highness's opinions."
Jin Youzi was as silent as ever, just sitting quietly.
Zhang Anshi looked quite enthusiastic, but the princes, who were all worried, thought in their hearts that if Wenyuan Pavilion could get along harmoniously, half of the matter would be settled.
Zhang Anshi is not worried that the cabinet ministers have turned against him. He, Zhang Anshi, is not a vegetarian, but... what he is most worried about is that everyone is not working hard.
You know, throughout the dynasties, the prime ministers and ministers were very polite to each other. If you don’t know, you would think that we have such a good relationship on weekdays!
But in fact, there is a disharmony between the face and the heart. Even if it doesn't stumbling upon you, it only takes a few false starts, and it's enough to cause you trouble.
For Zhang Anshi, the top priority right now is to stabilize his rear.
After Zhang Anshi made up his mind, he laughed and said: "This important matter at the moment is much bigger than the matter of the new department. I have only been here for more than half an hour. Only then did I know that the scholars of Wenyuan Pavilion...
It’s really hard work. I am a very good minister, but this room is dark and small. I can’t even move my muscles and bones, but that’s okay, it’s so dark and damp here.”
After a pause, Zhang Anshi said with concern on his face: "I have heard that people will suffer from bone diseases when they are older and exposed to such an environment all day long. What's more, this place is small and there are so many people coming in and out every day.
The bills and memorials piled high on the eucalyptus are higher than the mountain. I have thought about it for the sake of everyone's health and to better serve His Majesty. This Wenyuan Pavilion...should be repaired.
Not only does it need to be expanded, but it is also best to renovate it, especially the bachelor's room, to make it spacious and bright. Outside... it is best to set up a courtyard for people to live in, get some fake rocks, and make some
Lake view...this doesn't cost much money...but the benefits to my Ming Dynasty are endless."
Xie Jin: "..."
Yang Rong: "..."
Hu Guang's face twitched and his eyes widened.
This really touches the heart of everyone here.
Maybe everyone has their own opinions when it comes to the new department, but everyone can relate to the harsh working environment in Wenyuan Pavilion.
This place...maybe not even as good as a county government office.
Of course, as a bachelor of Wenyuan Pavilion, even if the authority of Wenyuan Pavilion becomes more and more powerful, how can a bachelor of Wenyuan Pavilion bring up this kind of thing?
We are all scholars, prime ministers, and ministers of His Majesty. How can we care about personal enjoyment?
His Majesty is stingy and the ministers want to save face, so... everyone pretends not to know about it.
But only I know about the daily aches and pains in my back and the depression accumulated over the years.
"Oh...this can't be done..."
This time, the upright Hu Guang took the lead and said: "Your Highness, we are ministers of the imperial court..."
Zhang Anshi interrupted him and said: "What can't be done? The great scholars are the pillars of our Ming Dynasty. If the pillars of the Ming Dynasty all live such a miserable life, is it okay? Here, thousands of things are decided every day.
, it is said that plucking a hair can benefit the world, and all the people need to rely on it, but if this affects the body and mind of the ministers, and even... makes the ministers feel wronged and have no energy to do their work, is this okay? This
This matter... I have thought about it over and over, and I must report it to Your Majesty."
Zhang Anshi expressed everyone's feelings in just a few words.
but……
Xie Jin said: "Your Highness, forget it, now so many places in the imperial court require money..."
Zhang Anshi said disapprovingly: "How much money can be used for repairs and expansions? If our Ming Dynasty is short of money for Wenyuan Pavilion, it will be ridiculous. Don't worry, you are all gentlemen, so naturally you don't care about this, but this king is fine.
, I will report this matter to the king and see who dares to object."
Yang Rong frowned, but felt quite comfortable.
They cannot express their stance on this kind of thing, but Zhang Anshi is willing to be the bad guy and work for everyone's benefit. This is another matter.
Jin Youzi remained silent, but his expression softened a lot.
Such a bad on-duty environment can be said to be everyone's pet peeve. It would have been impossible to solve this problem unless the emperor mentioned it first. But the emperors were pretending to be blind, and it was even worse when Emperor Taizu Gao was in charge. He wanted to treat his college days as
The mules and horses are here to take care of them, but as for the current emperor... he doesn't care.
Zhang Anshi said seriously: "In my opinion, it needs to be greatly expanded! In addition to the room, in addition to the courtyard, there are also several guest halls, tea rooms, and kitchens. They are also indispensable. I will start this matter tomorrow.
Go! Turn around, I'll go find Mr. Yilosha and the Ministry of Industry to draw up a sketch of the design, and I'll ask you to give me some suggestions."
"This, no need, no need..." Hu Guang's eyes widened and he waved his hands hurriedly, as if to avoid the plague: "I'm not good at building things, and I don't understand even after seeing them."
You, Zhang Anshi, just go and do it, but don't show it to me, I, Mr. Hu, still need to save some face.
Zhang Anshi smiled and said: "Since the memorial will be submitted tomorrow, it is a bit unreasonable to submit the memorial just for this matter. I have thought about it, the ministers are working hard, but the official salary of the imperial court has been low. To be honest,
Living in the capital is not easy. When Emperor Taizu Gao was here, everything in the world was in ruins and the people were poor and weak. Emperor Taizu Gao thought of the common people and therefore wronged all officials."
At this point, Zhang Anshi sighed, and then continued: "But it's different now. To be honest, now...the imperial court still has some money, and it is time to think of ways to pay for the officials' salaries. On this point, Zhili
The Dudu's Mansion has done a very good job, and the officials' salaries... can also enable everyone to live and work in peace and contentment. In my opinion... the official salary of this court should be compared with the Dudu's Mansion, gentlemen... you are Wenyuan Pavilion bachelors, these
This matter is related to the well-being of many officials, so we must pay attention to it."
These words really made the four bachelors stunned for a moment.
Speaking of the salary of the Governor's Mansion, it is notoriously high.
As for the official salary of the imperial court, to be honest, it was set by Emperor Taizu Gao. Not only was it outrageously low, but living in the capital was indeed not easy.
What's even worse...the emperor paid them back by giving them valuable money, or even reducing their salaries and defaulting on them.
It would be terrible if it were to be on par with the Governor's Mansion now.
You should know that the salary of the third-class civil servants in the Dudu Mansion is roughly equivalent to the official salary of the eighth or ninth grade, and it is not discounted.
The ninth-rank officials who arrived at the Dudu Mansion were comparable to the ordinary seventh-rank county magistrates.
What's even more frightening is that, for example, if you reach the third rank, it is almost equivalent to the salary of a marquis.
The problem is that all the gentlemen here have the title of Crown Prince, Grand Tutor or Crown Prince's Young Master, and as usual, they are treated as first-class people.
This means that almost everyone, like Zhang Anshi, receives the highest official salary in the Governor's Mansion. How much is it?
Anyway, you can support a family of dozens of people and don't have to worry about expenses in the capital. If you serve for ten or twenty years, you don't even need the usual toasting of ice and charcoal, which is enough to make people respectable.
"This...this...isn't appropriate." Hu Guang's face looked very unnatural. Well, he felt a little guilty.
Among all the great scholars, he was the poorest. He would not even accept a favor, and his life in the capital was always tight.
Zhang Anshi said proudly: "What's wrong? From now on, we will fully implement the New Deal. All provinces in the world will not be distinguished from each other. So...this official salary should be on par with the Governor's Office. No wonder it shouldn't be? My king's wish,
It is to extend the affairs of the Governor's Mansion to the whole world! Mr. Hu... we just need to jointly submit the report..."
"This...can't be done, can't be done..." Hu Guang's face tightened and he shook his head quickly.
Zhang Anshi said: "Why?"
Hu Guang said with embarrassment: "People who don't know, they think... they think... I am greedy for money."
Zhang Anshi sighed and said: "Hey, if you don't do it, I will go and do it. Someone has to do this kind of thing. The princes are too honest and too gentle. But I, Zhang Anshi, don't care. Anyway... I don't have a good reputation."
The four bachelors fell silent. Having said this, it was a bit embarrassing. They didn't know what to say.
So, they all bowed their heads and drank tea in silence.
Zhang Anshi said at this time: "There is also retirement..."
Hu Guang swallowed water in his mouth and almost spit it out.
Zhang Anshi said: "In the future, when we all get old and have served the court all our lives, we will no longer be able to do it. Once we become scholars, we must have a place to live... Forget it, I won't discuss this matter with you, I will think about it myself.
One or two.”
The four of them all smiled and drank tea with their own thoughts.
Zhang Anshi was minding his own business and continued: "Your health is also very important. If we ask the medical school to check everyone's health every year..."
"..."
The meeting went as quickly as it came. The meeting was a success, although it seemed that nothing important was discussed.
But it was obvious that everyone was relaxed, happy and extremely harmonious.
At noon, someone brought food to Zhang Anshi.
In the Wenyuan Pavilion, the emperor did not provide food, so every government sent people to bring food boxes early in the morning and make do with some pastries.
On Zhang Anshi's side, there were dozens of food boxes. Zhang Anshi taught others to heat them up, and gave one to other Wenyuan Pavilion bachelors, while he also made do with one bite.
After eating, Zhang Anshi walked around Wenyuan Pavilion to eat.
Out of the blue, I saw Hu Guang coming towards me, with his hands behind his back, as if he were taking a leisurely stroll in a courtyard.
Zhang Anshi smiled and said: "Hu Gong also takes a walk?"
"Well, well, stretch your muscles."
Zhang Anshi nodded and was about to pass by Hu Guang.
Suddenly, Hu Guang seemed to have thought of something casually and said, "Yes, Your Highness, I have something to ask you."
Zhang Anshi said: "How dare you."
Hu Guang still said casually: "I plan to report to the Metropolitan Procuratorate in the past few days to check on Taicang. The official salary will be distributed soon, so we must prepare for a rainy day. How the salary of the Governor's Office is distributed, I would like to teach you.
I'm a little curious."
Zhang Anshi said: "This... there is a dedicated financial secretary in charge..."
"Oh." Hu Guang suddenly realized, he said teasingly: "This is not good, wouldn't there be more redundant officials and redundant personnel? How much official salary is there, how can someone be dedicated to this job? By the way, the Governor's Mansion
How much is the salary of a first-class official?"
Zhang Anshi counted with his fingers and said: "It should be around three thousand nine hundred taels. I can't calculate the exact number."
"So much." Hu Guang was speechless, unable to hide the look of shock on his face.
Zhang Anshi smiled and said: "There are not many first-rank officials in the world. How many people are there who can get full calculations? I, Ming Dynasty, can count the number of first-rank officials on both hands..."
Hu Guang asked again: "Is the official salary calculated based on actual duties, or is it also counted as false posts?"
"Forget it, all things considered, in terms of actual duties, our Ming Dynasty does not have a first-rank official at all." Zhang Anshi thought for a while and said: "Furthermore, even if you are a first-rank official, you have gone through decades of officialdom, and you can really rise from the first rank.
Those who have worked to become a scholar will have a few more years. These are the treasures of the imperial court, and they are the humerus of my Ming Dynasty. You can't teach them to eat the wind and drink the dew? This is too cruel."
Hu Guang coughed and then said: "Well, this statement is not unreasonable."
Zhang Anshi continued: "Let's talk about Mr. Hu..."
A flash of embarrassment flashed across Hu Guang's face and he waved his hands hurriedly: "Don't use me as an example. I'm just asking casually. Otherwise, you can use Mr. Yang as an example."
Zhang Anshi said with a smile: "Okay, okay, let's take Yang Gong as an example. Yang Gong was a Jinshi in the second year of Jianwen, and ranked first among the top two. He was directly awarded the Hanlin editor. Look, how many people have studied hard.
He couldn't get it for many years. In the next twenty years, he was very dedicated to his career, and he worked very hard in the court, right? Now, he is regarded as a bachelor of Wenyuan Pavilion, and your Majesty gave him the title of Prince Young Master.
Fu, Minister of the Ministry of Industry. In terms of qualifications, how many people in the world can compare with him? In terms of talent and learning, how many people can compare with him? And in terms of merit, he can be regarded as indispensable. Now, he is the prince's young master.
, it is not easy to start from the first grade. It is impossible to pick out a few such people in the world. To such a person, three or four thousand taels of silver are given a year... Is this too much? "
Hu Guang nodded with a look of deep approval and said, "You are right, Mr. Yang deserves this because of his hard work and merit."
Zhang Anshi continued: "According to the current salary, Mr. Yang now gets seventy-two shi of money and food every year. How much is the equivalent of silver? It is a hundred taels of silver. Mr. Hu, let's take Yang Gong as an example. You say...this hundred taels
Wen Yin...does that make sense?"
Hu Guang sighed and said: "I pity Mr. Yang."
"That's right." Zhang Anshi said: "So, when we behave and do things, we can't let Mr. Yang feel cold, right?"
Hu Guang's face was straight and he said seriously: "You are right!"