prosperous age

633 Chapter 632 Li Chunfang resigns

Wei Guangde didn't consider the prohibition of doing business with the Japanese at the beginning, because he knew that Japan at this time seemed to have mountains of gold and silver, as well as a large amount of copper materials, and even nitrate.

Of course, because of productivity, the demand for iron materials in the Ming Dynasty at this time was far less than that of later generations, so domestic iron ore can also be supplied.

Since the shortage of materials in the Ming Dynasty can be solved through the Wo Kingdom, why is it forbidden to use the Wo?
But sometimes the accounts are not calculated like this, and political factors have to be considered.

The Ming Dynasty has been fighting against Japanese pirates for so many years. Both the officialdom and the people hated the Japanese country extremely. Xu Jie's proposal to prohibit trade with the Japanese just tickled everyone's itching.

I give good things to others, but I don't give you Japanese people.

This point is especially emphasized, because it will be easier to pass when implementing this policy, at least the Ming people from top to bottom will not be so resistant.

I have to say that there is nothing wrong with saying "Jiang is still old and hot". Wei Guangde only thinks about benefits, but he doesn't know how to get policies first.

However, Wei Guangde also wanted to understand the benefits after Zhang Juzheng particularly emphasized the sale of Eryang and prohibited the use of Japanese.

As for the final transaction partner after the ship sailed out to sea, it has already escaped the control of the Ming Dynasty. The only thing that can limit them is the time to go to sea.

Ming's so-called access to the East actually refers to the transactions between Korea, Ryukyu, etc. If it is to sell to Japan, the time is very tight, or even too late.

However, the Chinese are really good at taking advantage of loopholes. Almost immediately Wei Guangde thought of trading with Japan through North Korea or Ryukyu, but it was just changing the trading location. The two parties chose to trade at the ports of these two places, so they naturally avoided this policy.

It's not that Wei Guangde wants to do business with the Wa country, it's because the profits are huge and it can supplement the domestic needs of Daming.

As for whether to use the powerful strength of the Ming Dynasty to teach Japan a lesson, Wei Guangde vaguely remembered that many years later, the Ming Dynasty and Japan fought for the first time on the Korean Peninsula.

If he can live to this point, he doesn't mind contributing to it.

When Wei Guangde lay there thinking wildly, Zhang Juzheng also finished talking.

"Lord Shoufu believes that the sea ban policy is the ancestral system and cannot be shaken. Your Majesty is a benevolent king, and should be more sympathetic to the suffering of the people. Opening a port for the livelihood of the people in a place will not fundamentally shake the ancestral system of the sea ban. This is the only way he can think of to get the best of both worlds."

After Zhang Juzheng said this, he also lay on the ground, and the rest was left to Emperor Longqing to make a decision.

"Xu Shoufu, an old minister, seeks the country, and his methods have inspired me a lot."

Xu Jie took the lead in proposing to open a port, and at the same time emphasized that other coastal prefectures and counties would continue to implement the sea ban policy. In fact, it coincided with Wei Guangde's idea, and Emperor Longqing was not too surprised.

Because Zhang Juzheng had already been surprised when he said some things to pay attention to.

It's just that he didn't agree immediately, because Wei Guangde mentioned that if the imperial court's opposition was too strong, it would be too attractive for the inner court to control the matter.

The inner court is short of money, and Kaihai just sends people to collect taxes by boat, which is real money, not taxes and servitude collected by the local government, and the difference is not a big difference.

Let's wait and see how the court ministers respond to Xu Jie's proposal.

Emperor Longqing only had silver in his head at this time, so he looked at Gaoyi.

He is the person in charge of opposing Kaihai this time, and his attitude will also greatly affect the people behind him.

"Gao Aiqing, what do you think of Xu Shoufu's proposal?"

Emperor Longqing said with a pleasant face, that the emperor's joy, anger, sorrow, and joy can't be expressed in color, and he has mastered it after half a year of study. At this time, his expression and tone of voice make it impossible to see his mood.

The ball has arrived at Grohe, and he is actually having trouble now.

Yu Yu's old man's attitude made his initial analysis wrong. He thought that this matter was Gao Gong's personal opinion, and he made an irrational behavior because of the confrontation with Xu Jie.

But now it seems that this is not the case.

Even the old cunning Xu Jie kept expressing his attitude, that is, he sympathized with the difficulties of the people in Fujian. If he really wanted to strongly oppose it, his reputation would be ruined.

The people in the camp knew what was going on, but the others would not think so, they would think that he, Gao Yi, disregarded the life and death of the people, was a beast, and even stole the Minister of Rites.

Thinking of this, Gao Yi couldn't help feeling cold.

Minister of the Ministry of Rites, if you have a bad reputation, you should not take this position.

But if I agree to this matter here, how will I explain it when I go back? Can they understand my difficulties.

As for Huang Guangsheng beside him, he was in the same mood right now.

Originally, Huang Guangsheng should have supported opening the sea in Fujian, but his family lived in Quanzhou for generations and had inextricable connections with the local maritime merchants.

Fujian Kaihai has both advantages and disadvantages for his family. The advantage is that he can start a sea trade business in an upright manner, but the disadvantages are also not small. The previous exclusive business will increase many competitors. It is also unacceptable for elders.

Because of this, the news he received was to try his best to oppose this matter, and the court must not let the proposal of opening the sea be passed.

However, when all this became the emperor's long-awaited idea, how much effect would their opposition have, as well as the statement of the first assistant, and the same position as the second assistant before and Xu Jie.

That is, their point of view against opening the sea remains unchanged, but there is still one thing that has not been said. If the emperor insists on opening the sea, they will not strongly oppose it, but will accept it.

Both Gao Yi and Huang Guangsheng glanced sideways at the group of old people beside them. They both thought of procrastinating for a while and discussing it after they got down.

It seems that Xu Jie's idea is not unacceptable, but should some clauses be added?
For example, to limit the number of import and export merchant ships, it is best to set it according to the current number of ships of Fujian maritime merchants. This is nothing more than paying some money to the court, but it will wash away the original illegal business.

These words should not be said in court, but someone should be found to deal with several cabinet ministers in private, so everyone knows it well.

With this idea in mind, Gao Yi immediately said: "Your Majesty Qi Zou, I have some insights after listening to Elder Xu Ge's suggestion, but I can't think it through for a while, please allow me to go down and think about it, and then use the memorial Submit it to His Majesty for a ruling."

"It's good to have some insights, to think of the people of Fujian."

Emperor Longqing nodded slightly, then looked at Huang Guangsheng, Shangshu of the Ministry of Punishment, and asked, "What does Huang Aiqing think?"

"Qizou Your Majesty, the minister and Gao Shangshu have the same idea, and we need to think about it again, especially when Mr. Xu Ge added many amendments. The minister feels that this matter is of great importance. It is best to list the relevant provisions one by one to discuss the pros and cons. , let’s talk about whether it is feasible.”

Huang Guangsheng also echoed, but he did not express his agreement with Xu Jie's proposal, but said that Xu Jie's proposals should be listed one by one first, and then the court officials would conduct a debate, analyze the pros and cons, and then decide whether to give Fujian Open a mouth.

Nodding his head, Emperor Qianlong didn't bother to ask other people's opinions, it should be the rhetoric.

"Since everyone attaches great importance to Xu Shoufu's opinion, the matter will be handed over to the cabinet, and it will be listed one by one according to the terms proposed by Mr. Xu Ge, and then the opinions of various ministries will be solicited, and finally it will be handed over to the Supervisor of Rites."

Emperor Longqing felt as if he was opening the sea, and the attitude of all the officials was not as fierce as expected.

Looking at the court's reaction to the proposal of opening the sea several times in the past few dynasties, I can't help but feel that I am a bit of a stalker.

However, when his eyes touched a large group of officials who still had room to kneel down, Emperor Longqing suddenly realized something.

With the end of the court meeting, the officials withdrew from the Huangji Hall in an orderly manner, and Emperor Longqing had already left in a dragon boat.

Along the way, the officials gathered together and whispered about what happened at the court meeting.

There is still a clear distinction between supporters and opponents, and there is also an independent small circle for the fence-sitters. They have a relaxed atmosphere when they are together, talking and laughing.

"Thank you for your help today."

Outside the hall, the cabinet ministers, the six ministers, and the Zuodu censor did not leave, and they would join hands to see Emperor Longqing in a while.

However, this did not prevent Gao Gong from delaying for a while, pulling Yin Shizhen and Wei Guang aside to discuss matters.

"Brother Su Qing, don't say that. I have considered the matter of opening the sea carefully. I think Brother Su Qing's opinion is very pertinent. It is for the sake of the people of Fujian. I should support Governor Tu's proposal to open the sea."

Wei Guangde answered.

Although he is the one behind the scenes, only Emperor Longqing, Chen Yiqin, and Yin Shizhen are the only ones in the capital who know about this matter. Others may have doubts, but after all, they have not been personally confirmed, and Wei Guangde will naturally not confirm anything. .

As for Tu Zemin and Tan Lun, Wei Guangde didn't think they would betray him, because although they worked in the coastal areas, they were not from these provinces.

Tu Zemin is from Sichuan, and Tan Lun is from his hometown in Jiangxi. When the news from the capital passes, he will naturally know how to deal with this matter.

"What Shandai said is very true. In Fujian, it is beneficial to the country and the people. At least I think so."

Yin Shizhen also said in a low voice.

"After a few days, I will invite you all to my house for a banquet. We will not return until we are drunk. I will go to see His Majesty with a few adults later, so let's go first."

At today's court meeting, although Emperor Longqing did not give a clear result, in general, the emperor supported his opinion, which is a good thing.

It's just that after he turned around, his previously calm expression became serious.

Of course he knew that Qi Kang's memorial at this time made his situation worse, and he had to think carefully about how to say something to avoid today's troubles in front of Emperor Longqing.

Watching Gao Gong walk back into the queue of cabinet ministers, Yin Shizhen asked Wei Guangde in a low voice: "Shan Loan, do you think Gao Suqing can survive this time?"

"It's hard to say, it depends on Xu Jie's determination."

Wei Guangde shook his head and answered in a low voice.

At this time they were outside the Huangji Hall, and there were servants and generals everywhere, so they didn't dare to amplify their voices.

"Xu Jie probably won't let him go, alas."

Yin Shizhen let out a sigh.

Wei Guangde didn't answer after thinking about it, he shook his head, "I can only blame Gao Suqing for not being strict with his subordinates, if there is no Qi Kang's meddling, why would this be the case."

"You said, could he instigate it?"

Suddenly, Yin Shizhen asked in a low voice.

Wei Guangde frowned when he heard the words, then shook his head, "Gao Suqing is not that unwise, even if he wants to mobilize his disciples, he will definitely not be that idiot Qi Kang. Think about what he said in his memorandum, it is extremely stupid."

Yesterday's incident had already allowed Xu Jie to get sympathy points from the government and the public, but Qi Kang still pushed behind his back, and the old oil would be dissatisfied.

Why, seeing that people are old, any young man can kick him in the foot?
If they don't kill this sign this time, who knows if they will be kicked next time.

After leaving the palace gate, Wei Guangde and Yin Shixuan went back to their respective yamen to handle errands.

An hour later, Lu Bu suddenly ran into the duty room in a panic and whispered in his ear: "My lord, it's not good. I just heard the news that Li Chunfang, the second assistant to the cabinet, resigned from His Majesty just now. After leaving the palace, I will leave." Go straight back to the house."

"I see."

Wei Guangde was not surprised, just nodded slightly, and continued to deal with the official documents on the desk.

Not surprised to see Wei Guangde, Lu Bu only thought that Wei Guangde knew the details a long time ago, so he quickly left the room.

After people left, Wei Guangde put down the official document in his hand and sighed.

Today Li Chunfang has done everything that the assistant should do. In Qi Kang's memorabilia, he was accused of being recruited by Xu Jie, relying on power with him, and taking charge of his affairs.

Although it was Xu Jie who was impeached, he was actually brought along.

It's just that if the first assistant and the second assistant don't attend today's Great Court Meeting, it will be a big scandal in the Ming Dynasty if it gets out.

You know, there are still a few foreign envoys living in the Huitong Hall in Beijing.

If it was reported that the first and second assistants of the Ming Dynasty cabinet were impeached and had to be absent from the Great Court today, it would be a big joke if the news spread to the foreign domain.

Li Chunfang read the memorial today, but acted like nothing happened, closed the court meeting first and then asked Emperor Longqing to resign, at least avoiding such an embarrassing scene in the court.

At noon, the news spread throughout the official circles in the capital, and by this time no one had covered up the news, nor could it be covered up.

The first assistant and the second assistant of the cabinet were impeached together. The first assistant was okay, but he begged to return due to illness the day before, and was impeached again the next day. In fact, it was the same, but Xu Jie wanted to defend himself "in illness".

But Li Chunfang was different. His return to the government really stimulated the nerves of many officials.

As an official, Li Chunfang has always been a good person, without arguing or arguing, the impressions of all officials on him, even if some people think that he is not responsible and not qualified for the position of second assistant, they will definitely not agree that he and Xu Jie are in the same group.

When the chief assistant and the second assistant of the cabinet were not in the cabinet, everyone knew in their hearts that Gao Gong and Guo Pu were the speakers in the cabinet now, and Chen Yiqin and Zhang Juzheng, who were new to the cabinet this year, had little say in seniority. .

Muran, everyone seemed to know Qi Kang's plan in this memorial, or explained Gao Gong's plan.

At the same time, Xu Jie and Li Chunfang were eliminated, and he and Guo Pu took over as the first and second assistants.

Gao Gong, is he worthy to be the chief assistant of the cabinet of the Great Ming Dynasty Hall?
Wei Guangde knew that he could only hide himself as much as possible at this time, otherwise, if the outside world knew that Kaihai was created by him, they would even suspect that he and Gao Gong planned everything.

Keep a low profile, only stand up when it comes to maritime affairs, and try not to get involved in other matters.

(End of this chapter)