prosperous age

"Master, after investigation, Hu Zigao was extremely dirty when he was the ambassador to Cang. In just one year, he bought a mansion in the inner city of the capital and hired a large number of servants and maids."

In the study room of the Wei Mansion in the capital, Wei Guangde was sitting behind the desk, reading under the light of candles.

Before writing the case, Zhang Ji, the steward of the Wei Mansion, was reporting that he had collected more information about Hu Zigao.

"Drinking and having fun during Ding You? Did you even take a house of concubines?"

Wei Guangde was a little surprised, put down the book in his hand and asked.

"Yes, the local county magistrate petitioned for impeachment and wanted to remove him from office, but later it was Gao Gong who spoke up and Zhang Siwei took charge of it, transferring him to a casual position in the Nanjing Ministry of Industry."

Zhang Ji replied immediately.

"Let's not talk about the money made by Yanzheng Yamen. I didn't expect that the ambassador in this warehouse makes so much money. It's unbelievable."

Wei Guangde had never worked in the household department, so naturally he didn't know that among the various yamen in the Ming Dynasty, there were many such well-oiled yamen.

It's just that because these official positions are of low rank, most of them are not visible, and naturally few people know about them.

"Hehe, sir, you didn't know this. In a lucrative official position, such as the ninth rank, Ambassador Cang is still the most powerful among them.

You know that the bank and customs ambassadors are well-paid, but I heard that if you become a fukucang ambassador, as long as you work for two or three years, all the chamber pots in your home can be replaced with silver chamber pots, and you will earn more than the master of Shibosi. .

Although those masters were powerful in the local area, in addition to their duties of protecting the land and bringing peace to the people, it was also an important task to pay the imperial court the treasures produced in these places in accordance with regulations.

Once these goods cannot be delivered according to the quality and quantity, it is tantamount to disobeying the emperor's order. Can the black gauze hat on his head still be worn securely?

I heard that in order for the goods to be handed over to be accepted smoothly, each state capital must prepare a generous gift in advance for the ambassador of the warehouse when it comes to deliver goods.

He said that if the goods delivered are qualified, then nothing will happen. If he is picky and picks out the smell in the eggs, then you will not be able to hand over the goods. "

Zhang Jile said with a smile.

"Hehehe Zhang Ji, you said that if I had not been promoted by the late emperor to the top three, I would have gone to guard Chongwenmen.

If I really become the customs ambassador of Chongwenmen, will I have to use a silver chamber pot at home? "

Wei Guangde suddenly laughed when he thought about the lucrative official position he knew.

"Don't mention it, the Chongwen Gate Customs House is the emperor's small treasury. At that time, I had no choice but to let the master go there.

It's just that the customs ambassador is still not as safe as the warehouse ambassador. Leaving something here is equivalent to stealing the emperor's money. "

Zhang Ji was also happy when he heard this.

My master is tired of being a first-rank official and wants to become a ninth-rank sesame official for a change.

"Hmm."

Wei Guangde just laughed twice, then suddenly stopped smiling.

Before, he had not cared about Feng Bao's appointment as an official for Hu Zigao, but now the situation was different.

Hu Zigao went to the Lianghuai Salt Transportation Department. With his money-grubbing temperament, if he really reached that position, the people in the prefectures covered by the Lianghuai Salt Transportation would probably be in trouble.

Hu Zigao must have obtained enough benefits from the salt merchants, and these benefits will eventually be passed on to the people.

Wei Guangde is not an honest official, but he is definitely not a corrupt official.

He took out a piece of paper from the desk and laid it out, then quickly started writing on the paper with a pen and ink.

After putting the pen away and returning it to the pen holder, Wei Guangde picked up the note and blew it gently for a while. After the ink dried, he handed it to Zhang Ji.

"Send this note to Eunuch Feng, and go ahead."

"Yes, sir."

Zhang Ji took the note and glanced at it casually, but turned back as soon as he turned around.

"Master, I'm afraid it would be bad to refuse Eunuch Feng's request at this time."

Zhang Ji reminded in a low voice.

"I know that you are worried about the affairs of the Ministry of Personnel, but you can't keep putting off this matter, otherwise Eunuch Feng will think that I have agreed."

Wei Guangde understands Zhang Ji's worries. Now is the time to build momentum for Zhu Heng. If he refuses Feng Bao at this time, there is no guarantee that this person will not ruin his good deeds in this matter.

It's just that Wei Guangde has just made up his mind to ignore this matter. Although he will not stop Feng Bao from moving for him, he will just stand by and watch what his methods are.

Two days later, not long after Wei Guangde entered the cabinet, Lu Bu came quickly from outside the door and whispered in his ear: "Master, I just received the news that Yang Shangshu has handed over the begging memorial today. Now it’s in Zhang Shoufu’s hands.”

"Finally I can't bear it anymore."

Wei Guangde chuckled and then shook his head.

During this period, although Yang Bo still maintained the strong posture that everyone was accustomed to, whether in the official department or the cabinet, rumors of his poor health began to spread among the government and the public.

In order to support the news, some people naturally began to pay attention to the imperial doctors who had treated him in the imperial hospital.

The news cannot be hidden from the officials no matter what.

After this period of lobbying, the group that recommended Zhu Heng has been finalized, but there are still more officials in Qingliu who support Ge Shouli.

Wei Guangde had nothing to do about it. Anyone who told him was a clean stream.

However, Wei Guangde has now done everything he can, at least to ensure that Zhu Heng's name is among the candidates sent to the palace to be selected as Minister of Staff.

Wei Guangde actually understood Zhu Heng's intentions. There was no possibility for him to join the cabinet. Serving as the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel was the limit of his official career.

Although the six bureaus of the Ming Dynasty were not subordinate to each other and were all equal yamen, they were still classified in importance due to the different affairs they were in charge of. Among them, the official bureau became the de facto head of the six bureaus due to its particularity.

For the ruling class, no matter how it is disguised, the essence of its rule is "rule by man."

After the founding of the Ming Dynasty, Emperor Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang ordered the six ministries, especially the staff, to only obey the emperor's orders, indicating that the emperor would directly have the right to select and employ people.

Controlling personnel power is equivalent to controlling the entire country.

Among the six ministries, the Ministry of Husbandry is mainly in charge of the country's land and household registration; the Ministry of Rites is mainly in charge of the imperial examination system, etiquette and schools; the Ministry of War is in charge of the country's military and the teaching and selection of military attaches; and the Ministry of Punishment is mainly in charge of the country's justice and criminal issues; and The Ministry of Industry is mainly responsible for engineering affairs nationwide.

It can be seen that the focus of the other five departments are all things or things, and only the Ministry of Personnel manages people, and it is the official hat.

Although it is said that the stability of the country depends on finance, and the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue seems to have a high and powerful position, but even if the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue is in charge of the world's financial power, in theory, he must be evaluated by the Ministry of Officials.

It is also for this reason that the Ministry of Personnel has become the de facto chicken head of the six departments, and is the target of all ministers who are not destined to join the cabinet.

Because the Ministry of Personnel was too high-ranking and powerful, it was a default practice in the Ming Dynasty that officials in the Ministry of Personnel were rarely promoted directly, but had to be transferred to other departments first.

For example, candidates for the position of Minister of the Ministry of Personnel are generally not directly promoted by the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, but are promoted and transferred by the other five ministers of military affairs, household affairs, rituals, punishment, and work.

The candidates for the ministers of the Ministry of Personnel are generally not promoted directly by the ministers of the Ministry of Personnel, but are promoted and transferred by the ministers of other five ministries such as military, household, rites, punishment and work.

Therefore, if the emperor wants to promote a doctor of the Ministry of Personnel to be a minister of the Ministry of Personnel, or if he wants to promote a minister of the Ministry of Personnel to be a minister of the Ministry of Personnel, he is generally not promoted directly. He must first be transferred to the other five departments to be promoted to The ministers and ministers will be transferred back to the official department after a period of transition.

In order to respect the status of the official department as the head of the six departments, similar situations have always been very common.

Before Wei Guangde entered the cabinet, he and Yin Shizhen switched back and forth between the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Personnel. This is the reason. This is also the main reason why Wei Guangde is not worried that Zhang Juzheng will push Zhang Siwei to succeed Yang Bo, as long as he is stuck during this period and does not let Zhang Siwei move to the Ministry of Rites.

Not long after, the chief clerk came over to invite him. Wei Guangde knew that Zhang Juzheng wanted to test his attitude, or that the cabinet wanted to see if they could reach a consensus.

After the clerk informed him, he put down his official duties and got up to go to the first assistant to check the room.

After he and Lu Tiaoyang took turns to read Yang Bo's memorial, they heard Zhang Juzheng say: "Shandai, He Qing, there was a rumor a few days ago that Wei Yue was ill, but I didn't expect it to be true."

Wei Guangde immediately looked regretful and sighed: "Yes, that day I reminded Mr. Yang to take care of himself because I heard rumors from outside.

At this time, it was the time for the imperial court to employ people. It was really disappointing to think that Yang Shangshu was begging for leave due to health reasons. "

"Yes."

Lu Tiaoyang also echoed perfunctorily.

Everyone actually knows what's going on, but sitting together they can still only talk nonsense.

Who would believe Zhang Juzheng if he didn't know anything about it beforehand?

As for Wei Guangde, it is even more impossible not to know. Two days ago, Zhang Juzheng proposed that Zhang Siwei, the minister of the Ministry of Personnel, be transferred to the Ministry of Rites, but Wei Guangde found an excuse to refuse.

I have nothing to do recently, what should I do to the assistant minister?

Moreover, Wei Guangde and Zhu Heng had already started to arrange it, and Lu Tiaoyang was not blind, so he could naturally see it.

To say that the first ones to discover the situation were Wei and Zhu.

To say that Wei Guangde is not very fond of Yang Bo and Zhang Siwei is mainly due to the performance of later generations of Shanxi merchants in history. They can be called models of traitors. Naturally, Wei Guangde looks down on them and even wants to get rid of them quickly.

However, Wei Guangde also knew that what happened with the eight major Shanxi merchants had not happened yet. If he took action against Shanxi merchants now, some of his disciples would be unnamed, and the trouble would be due to him being unreasonable, so he could only bear it.

However, it is still possible to try to control the representatives of Shanxi merchants in the court.

He didn't recruit Yang Bo. He had already become successful. He already had a reputation before Wei Guangde entered the official career, and he has always been a high-ranking existence since then.

Zhang Juzheng gave Wei Guangde an expressionless look, and then said seriously: "I've called you two here this time to discuss whether there are candidates to be recommended to the cabinet after Yang Shangshu takes office."

"The Minister of the Ministry of Personnel is the humerus of the imperial court. It is best for the imperial court to decide on the candidate."

Wei Guangde said: "Brother, I think it's better to send Yang Shangshu's memorial to the palace as soon as possible and let your majesty and the empress dowagers of the two palaces decide.

After all, although Mr. Yang begged for a divorce, the palace has not approved him. "

Wei Guangde actually had a vague feeling that Zhang Juzheng had no good intentions, perhaps just to trick him into saying something to recommend Zhu Heng, and then spread it to the palace.

"Haha, you see I'm confused. Such a big thing should really be delivered first."

Zhang Juzheng chuckled at this moment.

In the next two days, the palace rejected Yang Bo's petition for leave, and Yang Bo also asked for resignation one after another. Now he really couldn't bear it.

After Wei Guangde rejected Zhang Siwei's move to the Ministry of Rites, Yang Bo knew that the only way for Zhang Siwei was to join the cabinet.

Wei Guangde obviously does not want him to serve as Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs. He will not agree to it now and will not do so in the future.

And he was able to take up the post because of his seniority.

With the third memorandum approving the emperor and the palace's wishes, the cabinet convened officials to discuss the candidates for the Ministry of Personnel. This secret war was finally coming to an end.

In the inner city of the capital, Feng Bao's outer residence.

Feng Bao handed a note to Xu Jue and said, "Give it to Zhang Shoufu and tell him that as long as this is done, he will be the one to choose the official."

"Yes, I'll do it right away."

Xu Jue took the note flatteringly and hurried out of the room.

Wei Guangde refused to promote Hu Zigao two days ago, which made Feng Bao angry in the house, and Xu Jue frowned very much.

After all, after accepting people's filial piety, he had to get things done no matter what. He was still waiting for Hu Zigao to send him money every year in the future.

As for Feng Bao, he felt that he had been refuted by Wei Guangde.

He was a dignified minister at home, and only Zhang Juzheng was qualified to be on an equal footing with him at the outer dynasty.

Just because he missed his past feelings, Feng Baocai thought of leaving this matter to Wei Guangde. When Hu Zigao came to the capital in the future, he would also give Wei Guangde a generous gift.

After all, he is a member of the inner court, and someone from the outer court must take care of him.

Unexpectedly, Wei Guangde refused, and he actually dared to refuse his kindness.

Fortunately, he soon learned about the news of Yang Bo's appointment, and Wei Guangde's intention to promote Zhu Heng to the throne was also obvious. Feng Bao would certainly not let Wei Guangde achieve his wish.

Choosing Zhang Juzheng to cooperate became Feng Bao's choice.

I feel that this is not bad. With Zhang Juzheng and Wei Guangde restraining each other, the Za family can have both sides.

No matter who wants to work in the palace, he must please me, otherwise he will know how powerful the Za family is.

Watching Xu Jue go out, Feng Bao sat on the Taishi chair and thought leisurely.

Soon, the note was handed over to You Qi. Knowing that it was something Feng Bao asked his master to do, You Qi certainly took it seriously.

Although he looked down on eunuchs, he still wanted to curry favor with them. Even his own master was unwilling to offend Eunuch Feng easily.

The previous time, just because my master didn't follow Feng Bao's wishes to kill Gao Gong and hold a trial, the relationship between the two parties was at odds.

You Qi had already sent someone to inquire about the person mentioned on the note before handing the note to Zhang Juzheng, and also knew about Hu Zigao.

After figuring out the situation clearly, You Qi went straight into Zhang Juzheng's study.

By the time he came out, it was already half an hour later.

When he came out, the smile on You Qi's face never broke.

The salt transport envoys of the Ming Dynasty were managed by the Ministry of Household Affairs and were mainly responsible for the production and transportation of salt.

From a third-grade official position, his grade is already quite high, but since he is not a capital official, in the eyes of important ministers such as the Six Ministries and Nine Ministers, he is actually just that.

If you really want to take this position seriously, it is only for the salt in his hands.

The smile on You Qi's face was naturally for this reason.

The Zhang family is not in business, but they do have friends in business firms, so they naturally have needs.

Huai salt is a very popular commodity in this era. It is not only of high quality but also of low price. It can almost control the price of salt in the Ming Dynasty.

But what my master must have seen was not Huaiyan, but something else.

After the news of Yang Bo's appointment spread in the past few days, as Zhu Heng expected, he and Ge Shouli became the popular candidates for the Ministry of Personnel. (End of chapter)