prosperous age

Chapter 626 Chapter 625 Preparation
Even Xu Jie didn't make any effort, those officials in the capital who wanted to speculate had already started to impeach Tu Zemin and Gao Gong.

But everyone is not surprised, even in the Jiajing Dynasty, when this situation happened, all the officials were like this, even if they were beaten by the imperial staff, everyone would never tire of it.

The more the officials below objected, Xu Jie was not in a hurry. He said that he was on the side of the general trend, but he was just trying to put on a show, after all, he was the chief assistant.

Not long after, the six ministers and the Zuodu censor of the Metropolitan Procuratorate came to the cabinet one after another, and each of them brought many memorials that officials from the ministry asked them to bring over.

As the minister of the Ministry of Rites, Gao Yi still had to sit upright on this matter, and he was an official in Zhejiang, so he put the memorandum on the case and complained to Xu Jie: "Master Shoufu, this smear It is his right to ask the governor to ban the sea, but you are always the chief assistant of the cabinet, why can't you insist on the ancestral system, just deny it, and see."

He pointed to the pile of memorials and said, "This is the memorials of my Ministry of Rites, all of which are against the ban on opening the sea. Is it worthwhile to make such a big commotion?"

"Zixiang, sit down first. Fujian matters still need to be discussed in a long-term way. Fujian is not as rich as Zhejiang. In recent years, most of the Japanese pirates have come from Fujian. Governor Tu also made this policy for the sake of the court. Whether it is right or wrong, it is always right. He thinks it's possible."

Xu Jie smiled and Mimi replied.

"I think he just wants to disrupt the court. Look, there are so many protesting memorials in just one day. If you don't ask His Majesty to reject Governor Tu's proposal as soon as possible, I'm afraid the chaos will be worse and it will be difficult to control by then. .”

Gao Yi said.

"Gao Shangshu, Governor Tu's suggestion is also to eliminate the coastal pirates. How can you say that you want to mess up the court."

Gao Gong couldn't take it anymore, Gao Yi's tone was full of guns and sticks when he came in, and he was targeting him everywhere, if he could bear this tone, Gao Gong would not be Gao Gong anymore.

"As for why you object so much, everyone understands. Don't tell me I have to speak up."

Of course Gao Gong had heard about the Japanese pirates along the coast. In fact, the maritime merchants in Zhejiang were the first to make trouble. If he hadn't seduced them, how could there have been such a big disturbance in the Jiajing Dynasty.

Before, everyone was concerned about the relationship between colleagues and did not talk about it in court, but if Gao Yi messed around, Gao Gong didn't mind telling the world about it.

What's the matter, if it weren't for the shameless things of Xie Qian's family, there would be a tragedy of Japanese pirates exterminating their families, which would make Emperor Sejong angry and severely ban the sea.

When Gao Yi heard Gao Gong's threatening words, she was at a loss for words.

This matter is not a matter of loyalty. Last night, a fellow from Zhejiang came to his house, hoping that he could express his firm opposition to the policy of opening the sea in Fujian.

Why, because only by banning the sea, those sea merchants can make huge profits.

If one place opens up to the sea, merchants will flock there to do business, and life will be difficult for Zhejiang maritime merchants.

As a last resort, I am afraid that I will also go to Fujian to do business across provinces.

Those who are unfamiliar with the place of life, went to Fujian, and the relationship in the officialdom had to be sorted out again, and I was afraid that I would not know how much money I had to fill in.

As for Gao Gong's threatening words, if he really shook his head in the court hall, it would be a troublesome matter for those businessmen from Zhejiang, not to mention going to Fujian, whether they could stay in the Ming Dynasty.

"Hmph, I'm just discussing the matter. I'm afraid that if you shake it or not, just because of Tu Zemin's memorandum, officials from the Ministry of Rites have come to my office today to ask me how the office of the Ministry of Rites works."

"Since that's the case, then sit down and have a good talk, don't come in with a gun and a stick."

Guo Pu also spoke at this time.

Although the six ministers are not afraid of the cabinet ministers, it is still too much to face two at once. The key point is that Xu Jie is sitting there at the moment and has no intention of helping, and Gao Yi does not intend to fight Gao Gong here. , Guo Pu debate, or wait for a while when everyone is here.

Not long after, Xu Jie's desk was already full of memorials.

Fortunately, before everyone came, they were simply classified, and the support and opposition were placed separately, but it immediately reflected the opinions of the officials of the court. The disparity ratio of 9:1 made Gao Gong and others look even more ugly. .

"The reason for inviting you to the cabinet today is because of what happened yesterday. I'm not going to say enough. I'm just talking about the requirements of the cabinet. Everyone should manage their yamen well, and their official duties must not be delayed. Otherwise, this year's Beijing inspection will hurt everyone's face."

Xu Jie said lightly.

"Naturally, the official affairs of the imperial court cannot be delayed. The Ministry of Officials will pay attention to the situation of each yamen during this period."

Yang Bo was a smart man, and he answered the conversation immediately, which seemed to echo Xu Jie's words.

Nodding, Xu Jie continued: "I don't care about the other yamen, as long as the six ministries and the Metropolitan Procuratorate are not in chaos, the imperial court can run smoothly, which is why I invited you here today.

Discussions are allowed, but it is not allowed to form cliques, parties to fight differences, and officials are prohibited from colluding in private to cause trouble. "

Yang Boyeng has always been a high-ranking official from the Jiajing Dynasty to the present Longqing Dynasty, so naturally his ability to adapt to the wind is not bad.

Gao Gong spoke for him before, reprimanded Ke Dao, and he had a relationship with King Yu, so he and Gao Gong got very close for a while.

But after he discovered some problems with Gao Gong, he finally gave up Gao Gong decisively and chose to support Xu Jie instead.

After all, Shanxi officials still need him as a big boss to protect them from the wind and rain.

Here, I have to say that Yang Bo's way of doing things is really nothing to say.

When Yan Song was in power, he could sit with Yan Shifan and drink happily, chatting with no restrictions. During this period, he had a very good relationship with Xu Jie and others.

After the fall of the Yan family, he extended an olive branch to King Yu's mansion at the right time, and showed his favor to King Yu by satisfying the request of Wei Guangde and others.

It's all-round and exquisite, but that's all.

The point is, as an official of the Six Departments, he was already very important in the court, but he managed to hide from most of the courtiers when he secretly favored the fellow villagers, until he was discovered by the sharp-eyed Ke Dao, which almost caused a major accident.

But even so, there are still people in the DPRK who are willing to help him excuse and suppress the Kodao spokesperson.

Judging the situation and knowing who to turn to in order to get the most benefits, this vision is also considered a must.

"Master Wang."

At this time, Xu Jie turned his head to look at Wang Ting again and said: "The Metropolitan Procuratorate, you have to do your best to manage it well, not only to keep them from making trouble, but also to mobilize the censor, picket and collusion of hundreds of officials and other illegal things." .”

Hall officials can evaluate the ability of subordinates to handle affairs. The knife of the Ministry of Officials can affect the promotion of officials, and the most lethal to officials is the Metropolitan Procuratorate.

As long as the censor can be stabilized, the officials of other yamen will not dare to make mistakes.

If anyone does not follow the rules, a letter of impeachment from Yushi can make him embarrassed, and even end his official career.

Xu Jie was not afraid that Emperor Longqing would procrastinate the matter, it would only accumulate the resentment in the hearts of the officials, and as long as he stirred up a little at that time, the crater would erupt towards Gao Gong.

In fact, what he is most afraid of now is that the emperor will reject Tu Zemin's memorial, and then all the countermeasures he has prepared will be invalid.

He is not afraid of Gao Gong's backing down, as long as he expresses Tu Zemin's political views are beneficial to the government from time to time, with Gao Gong's character, he will choose to stick to his own views, and even understand his attitude of opposing this matter as the chief assistant.

"If you have flaws, you might as well think about it. Governor Tu's opinion is effective against the Japanese invasion. Compared with the use of troops from the north and the south, the household department is also difficult to support."

"What Lord Shoufu said is very true, my household department"

When it comes to the imperial finances, Gao Yao, Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs, also took Xu Jie's words and poured out bitterness.

Emperor Longqing's ascension to the throne not only granted amnesty to the world, but also gave him a large amount of rewards, and he also had to organize the funeral of the late emperor. As much money as the internal treasury could provide, the remaining gaps were filled by the Ministry of Accounts with money.

The current household department can really run away mice.

After all, if these ceremonies were downgraded because of money, let alone the suffering of the Ministry of Finance, the ministers of the Manchu Dynasty would still blame him, the Minister of the Ministry of Accounting.

It was true that he gritted his teeth and wanted to do the errands well. The little money he had accumulated with great difficulty in the past two years was emptied out, and he had to borrow a sum of money from the Changying Treasury in order to finish the matter.

If Tu Zemin's suggestion is really effective, at least tens of thousands of taels of silver can be saved in the military affairs in the south, Nanjing can be transferred to the capital, and Changyingku's loan can also be repaid.

He really didn't dare to withhold the money sent to Jiubian now, for fear of mutiny again.

When such a thing happened at the beginning of the new emperor's ascension to the throne, although the Ministry of War would take responsibility, the Ministry of Households would not be able to make a fuss.

Wei Guangde was summoned to Yang Bo's duty room when he heard the call from the official's duty room.

"Master Yang, Master Zhao. I received an urgent dispatch from Huguang before I came, so I had to delay it."

Wei Guangde came late because there was a document in his hand that needed to be read. When he came in, Zhao Zhenji, the left servant, was already waiting for him in the room.

"It's okay."

Yang Bo waved his hands and said, "I called you two here today because of the incident in Fujian. Today I will go to the cabinet."

Yang Bo explained the meaning of the first assistant Xu Jie, and asked them to pay attention to controlling the officials of the various departments under him.

"My lord, it's easy to talk about it in the yamen, but after the yamen is over, how can we manage where they are going?"

Zhao Zhenji said with a frown.

"It's really not easy to do at this time, but just talk more with the doctor and the principal below, and understand their movements. If someone really wants to make trouble, as long as you know the news in advance, you can find a free way to detain them in the yamen."

Yang Bo smiled softly.

Wei Guangde will understand Yang Bo's plan and the thinking of the officials below. If there are really bad signs, just find a reason to let them work overtime in the yamen.

If you dare to disobey the order, there are plenty of ways to punish them.

Wei Guangde also heard about the situation outside today in the Ministry of Officials. The Tongzheng Envoy has been busy since the door opened in the morning. It is said that there are still many officials queuing up to submit memorials.

Opposing to modify the ancestral system is the general trend. Fortunately, King Yu did not directly agree to it before. Otherwise, the six departments and the cabinet will directly refute the imperial decree. At that time, the emperor will have no place to put his face and trust in himself. It's over.

Rejoicing in my heart, I also thought of the two letters that should be sent out today. One was sent to Fujian, which was to ask Tu Zemin to continue going to Shukaihai, and to list the real situation in Fujian.

Such memorials will help Beijing officials know the situation in Fujian. Even if they oppose it for the sake of opposition, they can at least understand that Tu Zemin's request to open the sea is justifiable.

Wei Guangde didn't dare to guarantee that he would protect Tu Zemin for the rest of his life.

Let the Beijing officials know the poverty situation of the people in Fujian, and let them know that Fujian has little land and many people can only live by hand, and the domestic market of the Ming Dynasty cannot meet their supply, and there is an urgent need to expand overseas markets.

Although these officials may not be able to understand the economy and the role of an export-oriented economy, they know that the only way for the people to survive is to open the sea ban and sell things to overseas businessmen so that they can live and work in peace and contentment.

Letting the common people live and work in peace and contentment is exactly the principle pursued by officials in this era.

The so-called being an official does not make decisions for the people, it is better to go home and sell sweet potatoes, regardless of how they become officials, but on the surface this is their purpose of being an official.

As for the other letter, it was naturally addressed to Tan Lun in Guangdong. Wei Guangde wasn't sure whether his first letter had moved him, so he sent another letter to him, urging him to see if he could make it happen.

On the other side of Zhejiang, he was too involved with Japanese pirates, and he had lost interest in contacting him.

In the following time, Wei Guangde continued to summon the doctors and chiefs of Jixunsi and Kaogongsi of the Ministry of Officials to talk to them, understand what they thought in their hearts, and write down small notebooks for those who held more radical ideas. concerned.

As for the anthology department and the seal inspection department, those are the departments that Zhao Zhenji is in charge of and have nothing to do with him.

In the Ming Dynasty, although the Ministry of Rites was noble and the closest to the cabinet, but in terms of the ranking of the six real powers, the Ministry of Officials must be the largest, because he directly controls the black hats of officials in the world, so no one will dare to offend the officials of the Ministry of Officials.

Among the four divisions of the Ministry of Officials, the Wenxuan Division and the Examination Division have the greatest power.

The full name of the Wenxuan Department is the Wenxuan Clearing Officials Department, which is in charge of the vacancies and grades of all central and local civilian officials, as well as the selection, promotion, transfer and replacement of officials.

Therefore, the Wenxuan Department is responsible for selecting officials. When there is a shortage of people in the central government, the Wenxuan Department began to select people. This was quite fat in ancient times, especially in dynasties with a mature bureaucratic system. Whoever served where was basically him. That's right, it can be ranked first.

This fattest job has always been in charge of the left servant of the Ministry of Officials, Wei Guangde, the right servant, can only drool greedily, but can't do anything.

Even though Zhao Zhenji was an official who had just returned to the court, Wei Guangde could not easily intervene in the affairs of the Wenxuan Department.

It is worth mentioning that Zhao Zhenji is also a fellow of Chen Yiqin. He was dismissed from office in Jiajing 40 years because he offended Yan Song, and Long Qingchao was recalled. Naturally, Xu Jie reversed the case and Chen Yiqin secretly contributed to it. Otherwise, it would be very difficult for him to return to court. Just take this seat.

Although Wei Guangde's examination department is not as influential as the Wenxuan department, it is not small.

The Department of Examination and Purification of Officials is responsible for the evaluation of officials' performance, promotion, demotion and dismissal of officials. All internal and external officials are given excuses. They will take the examination at the beginning of three years and re-examination in six years. , If he is incompetent, he will be dismissed. If he is not inferior to the second class, he will not be inferior to the third class. If he is worse, he will be dismissed and guilty.

Although officials cannot be selected, but they hold the hat of officials, and given an evaluation of "incompetent", the official will be finished.

Sitting in this position, of course Wei Guangde will not accomplish nothing. In fact, he has already begun to screen and identify Xu Jie's disciples, especially those who are hiding.

As for the purpose, it is naturally to be used to counter Xu Jie when necessary, and to attack anyone involved in the initial exam, re-examination, or even the general exam.

(End of this chapter)