It is said that Yang Futai moved out of the imperial envoy's customs and asked for the royal flag. Mr. Li put on the emperor's clothes and carried the gold book and iron certificate.
Luck.
For a moment, there seemed to be a storm in the lobby, a storm was about to come, and there seemed to be a fierce conflict between two forces.
Ding Yunshi and Gao Yun glanced at each other, two of the wealthiest officials in the world actually had a hint of inferiority complex.
Ding Yunshi, who did not have the best magic weapons and equipment, sighed silently in his heart. If he wanted to compete with them in this regard, he would have to bring hundreds of thousands of silver in his warehouse to show off. Otherwise, he would not be able to hold up the scene.
Facing Mr. Li who was making gorgeous steamed buns, Yang Futai was really speechless. He took out the household items of the feudal official in order to frighten the Salt Transportation Department, which was not under his control. This Li You didn't know what kind of stimulation he got, so he was full and idle.
He grabbed the limelight and insisted on supporting the scene.
You, Li You, are a serious subordinate to me, and there are so many ways to beat you. Do you need to go all out and ask for the emperor's order to demonstrate to you? It's really a bit pretentious.
He was really surprised. Since he moved to Yangzhou, Li You has generally been more respectful and knows how to advance and retreat. He is not as arrogant and domineering as the rumors say. Why is he being uncharacteristically aggressive today?
Could it be that the true identity has been exposed? If so, then the suspicion about him is indeed correct.
In fact, the current situation in the chess game is not what any of the three parties, Yang Futai, Yanyunsi, and Li You, expected. The three parties are not happy to see it and feel very awkward.
The Salt Transport Department suspected that the forces behind Li You were trying to influence the salt administration, and at the same time was wary of Li You's combat effectiveness. He hoped that after Futai came, he would seize power against Mr. Li, while the Salt Transport Department could continue to be in peace. After all, Li You was in control.
The welcoming affairs here are very attractive, enough to tempt anyone who intends to continue developing in the officialdom.
For this reason, they secretly contacted Luo Shenzheng, who had openly defected to Futai, and instigated Yang Futai to inspect the palace construction site.
Futai hoped that Li You would be arranged by the court to rectify the salt administration and fight with the Salt Transportation Department. The fisherman would benefit, which could not only easily win over the Salt Transportation Department, but also cause Li You to be too preoccupied with the reception affairs, allowing him to take advantage of the situation.
Come in empty.
For this reason, he strongly recommended to the court that Mr. Li should rectify the salt affairs.
Mr. Li's biggest expectation is to let Yang Futai turn the Salt Transportation Department upside down, so that the emperor can easily harvest the fruits of victory when he tours south.
To this end, he made one hundred and eight articles in advance, and later tailored them according to Yang Futai's conditions, and suggested that the imperial court send ministers to inspect the salt industry.
They plotted against each other for a month, and on the last day of February, the staged outcome did not satisfy everyone. The court of the Ming Dynasty was very skilled in balancing, and the current situation made the court feel relieved.
Li You and Yan Yunsi, who were bestowed with crowns and robes and had gold books and iron certificates on their backs, sat opposite each other, avoiding the fate of being at the bottom.
In the silence, Yang Futai coughed and spoke first: "This department has been ordered by the imperial court to rectify the Lianghuai Salt Law. I summoned you today to discuss the rectification, so that we can achieve success as soon as possible and live up to our expectations.
The imperial court has high hopes."
Ding Yunshi lowered his eyes to the ground, "My transportation department has often been incompetent, which has caused the imperial court to worry. Whatever the Prime Minister tells us, we will just do it."
The Ming Dynasty system adheres to the principle of emphasizing internal affairs over external affairs, using the middle to control external affairs, and attaches great importance to the authority of the imperial court. When various imperial envoys and dispatches from the imperial court go to places, they are basically the same as senior officials. Therefore, no matter what Ding Yunshi does in his heart,
Ideas must be spoken carefully.
Yang Futai said with a smile: "There is a secret case in our court, so there is no need to go far away first. First, check the account books and check the bank balance at the Yunsi Yamen, and at the same time, pick up the illegal things of the salt merchants. In any case, according to the usual practice, it should be like this
Once in a while."
Ding Yunshi was noncommittal. Auditing the accounts and checking the treasury was nothing. The accounts given by the Salt Transportation Department would naturally not have any big problems. Some things simply operated outside of these accounts. What could be found out through an audit?
"Master Li will take care of this matter. You are in charge of Jiangdu County and it will be convenient for you." Yang Futai assigned the task. This is probably what Yang Futai meant, asking Li You to act as a vanguard.
Li You snorted coldly and rejected Yang Futai's opinion unceremoniously: "As for the salt matter, Lao Zhongcheng, who has been in Lianghuai for a long time, should be familiar with it. Why is there such an unrealistic provision?"
If Li You remained silent, it would only make people confused, and it would be normal for him to speak wantonly. Yang Futai was not angry and asked, "What do you think Mr. Li has to say?"
"Salt farmers began to boil salt in the spring, and accumulated it in the salt warehouse over time. In autumn, merchants began to collect and transport salt. In other words, the first half of the year is the time to produce salt, the second half of the year is the time to transport salt, and the next month is the time to transport salt.
March is the beginning of spring salt production. The focus of rectifying the salt law should be on the production area of the salt farm. It is necessary to check the bad policies such as boiling salt, warehousing, exploitation, number of cooks, and the cashier of the salt department. "
"The second half of the year is the time to transport salt. The focus is on the Transportation Department, Gang Shang and Yizhen batch laboratory. I dare to ask Mr. Yang, if we go to inspect the Transportation Department and Gang Shang now, when will we go to inspect the salt field?"
Mr. Li's righteousness is awe-inspiring and full of truth, but his real meaning will be understood by everyone here after hearing the song.
The Lianghuai Salt Transportation Department has three branches: Huai'an, Taizhou and Tongzhou, with a total of 30 salt fields and tens of thousands of households. These salt fields are backed by Fanggong Dike to prevent sea tides, and are distributed along the long coast from Haizhou to Tongzhou.
superior.
The most important thing is that these salt fields may be located in Huai'an Prefecture, perhaps in Tongzhou, or perhaps in Taizhou, but it is certain that there are none in Jiangdu County and none in Gaoyou Prefecture.
In other words, these salt fields are not on Lord Li's territory. At the same time, Lord Li, as the de facto official of Jiangdu County, is not allowed to leave the country at will without special circumstances.
Therefore, the only way to clean up the salt fields is by the Prime Minister, Master Yang, who regulates the salt rituals, or by inviting other experts from the local prefectures. He, Master Li, is powerless and cannot help.
Everyone in the hall could see Li You's little calculation, and it was exactly the same as the governor's idea from Jiangdu County.
There are only three places to inspect the salt affairs: Yangzhou City where the Salt Transportation Department is located, the salt field where salt is produced, and Yizhen County where the export is inspected. How could Yang Futai not expect Li You's reasons?
You've been fooled! He pretended to think for a moment and said: "The production season has just started in March, and June and July are the best times to go to the salt field for inspection. At present, it is better to focus on Yangzhou City. After all, it is the Lianghuai Salt Farm
The place where the industry is at its peak.”
Li You waved his big sleeves embroidered with horned dragons to shoo away a fly in front of his eyes, "I don't want to argue with Lao Zhongcheng, lest I hurt the peace. Since we all have our own opinions, let's report it to the court and ask the court to make a decision.
!”
"You..." Yang Futai felt that Li You was a threat. If he reported this trivial matter to the court, wouldn't he be afraid of being scolded by the big shots of the court as being fatuous and incompetent?
Besides, Yang Futai is currently having some psychological shadow over writing chapters and memorials, especially when it comes to Li You’s memorials. There are too many variables and he can’t grasp the situation at all.
What's more important is that it would take at least half a month to petition the court and wait for approval. Li You could afford it, but he couldn't afford it. The emperor got married in March, and then visited the south to pay homage to his ancestors. The time he arrived in Yangzhou was about
It's the end of April, and there really isn't much time before then.
Of course, Li You could procrastinate for a day and just be busy building a garden and building a temple in the training palace. But if Master Yang wants to perform well, he can't procrastinate doing nothing.
Thinking about this, Yang Futai felt that he had identified Li You's context, and he was either hiding or delaying.
Bang! The governor slapped the case and said: "What Mr. Li said is absolutely true, so the headquarters will temporarily dispatch you to inspect the salt field!"
It turned out that he was waiting here... Li You opened his mouth and retorted: "The lower official is the main hall of Jiangdu County. The affairs of the county are tied together. He is not allowed to leave the county without authorization from the court. Therefore, Lao Zhongcheng's chaotic life is not allowed.
! Besides, the salt field involves Huai'an and Yangzhou. How can a lower official, He De, cross the line? This matter must be done personally by Lao Zhongcheng!"
Li You is absolutely right in what he said. In the imperial system, prefecture and county officials must not leave the county without permission, otherwise it will be a crime. Anyone who needs to go out for business must either entrust the assistant official or the subordinate official.
Yang Futai stood up, saluted solemnly to the imperial order flag, and then said: "This department is responsible for organizing the salt law for the Prime Minister, and you have also been appointed by the imperial court to organize the salt law. This is the authorization of the imperial court.
This court has the right to make decisions on an ad hoc basis."
He shouted again: "Li You, listen to the order! In the name of the Prime Minister's rectification of the Salt Law, the Ministry of Commerce dispatches you, who is also an envoy to rectify the Salt Law, to inspect the salt field!"
Yang Futai's order was almost stern, and the atmosphere suddenly became extremely tense, as if swords were at war. He and Li You circled around for a long time, just for this moment.
Ding Yun of the Department of Salt Operations was speechless for a long time. He only watched from the side as Yang Futai and Li You exchanged words with each other, which became more and more intense. He was not only proud, but also proud. What other tricks could the two envoys pull off when they were fighting among themselves?
Gao Yuntong thought of a very academic question. Assuming that Yang Futai owns Shang Fang's sword, and Li You has no civilian status and is just a disobedient general in the army, then Yang Futai can use Shang Fang's sword to kill the man who has the gold medal for immunity from death.
Li You? Which one is bigger, Shang Fang’s Sword or Golden Book and Iron Coupon? I’m very confused after thinking about it.
Ding Yunshi suddenly remembered that during the eight years he had been in office, his hands and feet were mainly focused on the remaining salt beyond the prescribed output. If Li You was asked to go to the salt farm to conduct an inventory, he might actually find some clues.
So he smoothed things over and said, "Master Li, you can't do this or that. Futai has given you two errands, so you have to choose one. If you think that going to the salt farm will miss Jiangdu County official business, then you might as well choose the other."
Li You, relying on his status as the envoy of the Salt Law, rebuked impatiently: "Master Ding, as the chief official of the Transportation Bureau, is so confused! Now is the season for salt merchants to claim salt and pay taxes. If I go to your Transportation Bureau
If we conduct an inventory and then picket the salt dealers, will the salt be sold when everyone is in danger? Can you take responsibility for missing the country's expenses?"
Ding Yunshi thought he was going to turn things around, but he was scolded by Li You who didn't appreciate it and stopped talking.
After defying the governor and training the envoys, Li You still didn't care. He just said a few words of emotion that the tiger skin given by the court was very useful...
Then he straightened his clothes, chuckled a few times, stood up and said: "Since this is not the case, I will take my leave."
Seeing him turn around and walk out, Yang Futai was not angry but happy. This was just a sign of impatience. He immediately slapped the case and scolded him: "Li You, what do you mean? First, you are disobedient and disrespectful, and then you are disrespectful."
! It’s unbecoming to act like a spoiler! As an official of the imperial court, how could you act like this? I will impeach you!"
Li You said inexplicably: "Where does the saying that the eyes are not superior come from?"
"I, the Prime Minister, have been rectifying the salt rituals, but you have refused to listen and insist on going your own way and disobeying your orders. How dare you not plead guilty?"
Mr. Li shook his head, "Old Zhongcheng's words are wrong. The imperial court uses you as the prime minister to rectify the salt law, and let the lower officials also organize the salt law. Judging from the name, it is for you and me to rectify the salt law according to our powers and responsibilities.
When acting in Jiangdu County, Lao Zhongcheng acts in the Lianghuai area, there is no affiliation."
Mr. Li, who once served in the cabinet, had an official position of thirty or forty characters, and had the highest number of dispatches in the entire court. He was very familiar with various dispatch regulations. He was afraid that everyone would not understand, so he explained: "If Lao Zhongcheng is the main
, the lower official is obedient, then the lower official's errand should be to assist in the preparation of the salt law or to approve the preparation of the salt method, but the lower official only also manages the legal affairs of the salt, there is no such word of association or praise, so there is no affiliation with Lao Zhongcheng
meaning."
Is this okay? Yang Futai did not expect that Li You would suddenly play tricks with words and forcefully explain a few words. He was not good at this, and he was so angry that he wanted to vomit blood.
Moreover, Li You, who was also responsible for organizing salt rituals, was personally recommended by him. At that time, Yang Futai did not know that he had also been recommended by Li You. He was about to become the prime minister and was responsible for organizing salt rituals. He just wanted to let Li You do it alone, so it was useless.
The words "associate" or "assistant" indicate auxiliary affiliation.
Now it seems that I am shooting myself in the foot. Who knew that this small loophole, which cannot be said to be an oversight, was caught by Li You here. It must be said that the writings of the Guochao Dynasty are extensive and profound...
"If Lao Zhongcheng needs manpower, he can report to the court and ask someone else to be his subordinate to assist Lao Zhongcheng in rectifying the salt law. As for now, Lao Zhongcheng and the lower officials will do their own thing. If there are any problems, they will report to the court separately. That's all."
Finally, Li You said in a calm tone.
If it weren't for Li You's bullfighting uniform and the golden book and iron certificate behind him, Yang Futai would have used the emperor's order flag to get him imprisoned and then report it to the court based on his fifth-grade status! Yang Futai took a deep breath.
In a tone of voice, he scolded: "It's just strong words! This department will not adopt it!"
Li You wrote lightly: "If Mr. Futai and the lower official have different ideas about the title of the errand and cannot agree, then it is better to report to the court and ask the court to make a decision!"
Threatening the imperial court again? He had just spent a long time talking about it, but it was all nonsense? Yang Futai was self-restrained, but at this moment he was really angry.
No wonder the old friends in the DPRK warned not to quarrel with Li You, otherwise they would follow in the footsteps of the former chief minister who died of illness... Mr. Yang couldn't help but ask: "Since you can do whatever you want, what are you going to do today?"
What is this for?"
Li You flicked the dust off his body and said, "I don't know much about this. I haven't worn the imperial uniform. I just put it on today to have a feel. At the same time, I want to hear Futai's intentions, so that I can share Futai's worries more accurately."
, now I understand it clearly."
At this point, Yang Futai discovered that Li You had 80% understanding of his thoughts, but he had no idea what Li You was thinking. From this point of view, he was at a disadvantage unconsciously.