I, Jiajing, successfully cultivated immortality

Soon, the news that the imperial court was going to cut expenses and abolish the post station spread throughout the government and the public.

As soon as this news came out, all civil and military officials in the Manchu Dynasty were shocked. Although the current post station still has many shortcomings, its importance is self-evident.

Without these inns scattered all over the Ming Dynasty, many messages would not even be delivered to the capital in time.

Although the imperial court announced to the outside world that some inns with remote roads and low usage rates would be abolished, when it comes to actual implementation, it may be another matter.

What worried those officials the most was that, in order to save money, the imperial court was now able to be ruthless and drastic in reforming the inn system that had not changed for a long time since Emperor Taizu.

Zhang Juzheng was the Minister of the Ministry of War, and his subordinate Chajia Qingli Division was responsible for the country's horse administration, as well as post and other affairs.

It is no exaggeration to say that Zhang Juzheng is using a knife on himself!

While the government and the public were shocked by Zhang Juzheng's determination, they were also quite worried.

What they worry about is that the imperial court has had successful experience in abolishing the post stations this time, and there is no guarantee that it will not carry out deeper reforms in the future.

Perhaps one day, the butcher knife of reform will inevitably fall on the central government of Ming Dynasty and the officials at all levels.

After all, today's Ming Dynasty's government agencies at all levels have become bloated, inefficient, and stubborn.

In the early years of Hongwu, the total number of civil servants in the country was only more than 4,500, and the number of military attachés was only more than 28,000.

After the Yongle period, the number of officials increased year by year. During the Zhengde period, there were 20,000 civilian officials and 70,000 military officers. By the Jiajing period, the total number of civil and military officials totaled more than 100,000.

So many officials require state finances to support them. The annual salary alone for officials is an astronomical figure.

It is precisely because of this that the civil and military officials in the DPRK were worried about the dismantling of the post station.

……

After being off duty, Yan Song, Yan Shifan and his son took a sedan chair directly back to Yan's Mansion.

"Father, please slow down and pay more attention to your steps!"

"Ah."

With Yan Shifan's support, Yan Song was seen walking slowly towards the direction of the study.

Today's imperial meeting seemed to have consumed too much of Yan Song's energy. At this time, Yan Song had his eyelids drawn, looking old and listless, as if he would fall asleep in the next second.

As soon as he recalled what happened at the imperial meeting today, Yan Shifan's face was full of resentment.

He originally planned to obtain four million taels of funding for the Ministry of Works, but Xu Jie interfered and cut the original four million taels to 3.2 million taels on the grounds of saving money. , there is a total difference of 800,000 taels!

"This Xu Jie is really abominable. You agreed to the 7 million taels of expenses reported by the Ministry of War without even thinking, but you cut off the 4 million taels of expenses reported by the Ministry of Works. Eight hundred thousand taels!”

Yan Shifan couldn't help but clenched his fists when he thought of this, his face full of gloom.

Yan Song on the side seemed to be aware of this. He stopped and looked Yan Shifan up and down with his cloudy eyes before asking.

"Why, are you still upset about the fact that Xu Jie cut off the 800,000 taels of expenses from your Ministry of Industry?"

Seeing that his thoughts were revealed by Yan Song, a trace of embarrassment flashed across Yan Shifan's face, and then he nodded and responded rather unhappily.

"Father, I just think it's unfair. You know, the Ministry of War reported an expenditure of 7 million taels. Xu Jie agreed without even thinking about it, while the Ministry of Works only submitted 4 million taels..."

Yan Song saw the expression on Yan Shifan's face. After pondering for a long time, his face was full of self-mockery and he said slowly: "Fairness, how can there be fairness in this world!"

"Some people are born into the families of princes, generals, and ministers, and are pampered and have a noble status. Some people are born into the families of ordinary people, and their status is as low as grass. Just to live, they have exhausted all their strength. You say, this is fair. ?"

When Yan Shifan heard this, he couldn't help but feel speechless. He originally just wanted to complain a few words and vent his resentment, but he didn't expect to hear these words from Yan Song's mouth.

After Yan Shifan thought about it for a long time, he responded in a deep voice: "Father, I think this is fair. No matter you are born into a family of princes, generals or ministers, or a commoner's family in Guizhou, in the end, you will turn into a handful of loess!"

Yan Song was also quite moved by Yan Shifan's words. Then, he looked away and said slowly.

"Yes, although in the end, they will all turn into a handful of loess, but the situation in the middle is very different!"

"My Yan family has climbed from a humble family to where we are today step by step."

"At the beginning, our great ancestor Yan Mengheng was a second-rank official, and he was honest, self-responsible, and upright. But in the end, when he died, because his family property was too small, in order to show his appearance, he filled a carriage with six boxes of stones and transported them back to his hometown!"

When Yan Shifan heard Yan Song's words, his face was full of shock, because he had never heard Yan Song mention this before.

Then, Yan Shifan mustered up his courage and looked in the direction of Yan Song, with a look of hesitation on his face: "Father...Father, child..."

Seeing this, Yan Song waved his hand to stop Yan Shifan from continuing.

Then, Yan Song looked solemnly in the direction of Yan Shifan and said, "Okay, Yan Shifan, please remember that there is no fairness in this world. You have to fight with your own hands for everything. Go grab it, do you understand?"

"Yes, father, the child understands!"

When Yan Song finished speaking, Yan Shifan looked like he had realized something, leaned down and answered in a deep voice.

"Okay, help me to the study!"

"Yes, father!"

……

After helping Yan Song to the study, Yan Shifan went straight back to his room to rest.

Today's imperial meeting also consumed a lot of his energy.

Just as Yan Shifan was lying on the bed, preparing for sleep, he heard a slight knock on the door.

The sleepiness that Yan Shifan had finally brewed up disappeared in an instant after hearing a knock on the door.

Then, Yan Shifan suppressed the anger in his heart, sat up from the bed, relit the candles in the room, and said: "Come in!"

After the words fell, there was only a "squeak" sound, the door of the room was pushed open, and not long after, the housekeeper stepped in.

After the housekeeper entered the room, he immediately leaned down, looked in the direction of Yan Shifan, and said respectfully: "Mr. Xiaoge, Mr. Zhang, Mr. Luo and their group came to visit. They are currently waiting in the hall. They said they have something important to see the master. discuss!"

"Since the master has already gone to bed, I didn't dare to disturb him, so..."

After listening to the butler's explanation, Yan Shifan's resentment for being disturbed had mostly dissipated. Then he waved his hand and gave instructions.

"Okay, go tell them and I'll be there right away!"

"Yes, Mr. Xiao Ge!"

After receiving Yan Shifan's specific instructions, the butler did not stop at all. He immediately stepped out and left the room. When leaving, the butler also closed the door with him.

After the housekeeper left the room, Yan Shifan got dressed and went straight to the hall where Yan's house was used to entertain guests.

……

At this time, the hall used by Yan Mansion to entertain guests was already crowded with officials of all sizes.

In the hall, officials gathered in twos and threes, exchanging the news they had received. Their words were full of pessimism, and they sighed from time to time.

"Hey, tell me, why did Mr. Yan Ge propose to Your Majesty to abolish the existing post talisman? Isn't this equivalent to cutting off everyone's livelihood?"

"I heard that the Sixth Section will be responsible for supervising those officials who issue post talismans without authorization and perform autumn wind in the post. Once such situations are discovered, they will be reported to the court and severely punished. Maybe they will even be punished. I can’t even keep it!”

"Yes, those officials are a group of people who accept death and cannot be offended easily!"

"If you ask me, some people have gone too far. They go to the inn all day long to eat and drink for free. Now it's better. No one has to use it anymore!"

"If this continues, I'm afraid we'll have to pay for it ourselves when we go on a business trip!"

Zhang Runde and Luo Longwen were also among them. At this moment, the expressions on their faces were the same as those of many officials present, one of worry and uneasiness.

At this moment, Yan Shifan stepped into the hall.

Everyone was silent when they saw Yan Shifan's arrival, and then they all said hello to him: "Master Xiaoge!"

When Yan Shifan heard this, he just nodded, then sat directly on the main seat. After looking around, he asked: "It's so late, why are you coming here with so many troops? What's the matter?"

Luo Longwen, who was on the side, heard the displeasure in Yan Shifan's words, stood up, and cautiously responded: "Xiao... Mr. Xiaoge, wasn't there news that the imperial court was about to abolish the existing post talisman and use it instead?" A new talisman?"

Yan Shifan, who was sitting in the main seat, couldn't help but sneer when he heard Luo Longwen's words, with a look of ridicule on his face: "So, you came here with great fanfare, are you here to call for punishment?"

Zhang Runde on the side heard Yan Shifan's words, a look of panic flashed on his face, and hurriedly explained: "Mr. Xiaoge, you misunderstood, I didn't mean it this way, it was just that the incident happened suddenly. Before this, no one had any preparation. This is..."

Before Zhang Runde could finish his words, many officials came to the side and said, "Yes, Mr. Xiaoge, that's not what I meant!"

Then, Yan Shifan slammed the table, faced everyone, and reprimanded: "Humph, don't I know what you are thinking about?" "Don't think I don't know about the things you do in private. Zhang Juzheng, in front of His Majesty, shook all your old men out!"

Yan Shifan seemed to be quite indignant about this. After a moment of pause, he continued to add: "It's enough to be extravagant and wasteful. There are actually people holding post talismans and holding banquets at the post station to entertain guests. Don't you still think that Isn’t it embarrassing enough?”

After Yan Shifan finished speaking, he glanced at the many officials present. Some of them lowered their heads guiltily and did not dare to look at Yan Shifan.

"In short, it is a certainty that the imperial court will abolish the original Yi talisman, and it can no longer be changed. This is all caused by some of you. You can't blame others!"

After Yan Shifan's words, many officials at the scene knew they were in the wrong and lowered their heads one after another and stopped talking.

After that, Yan Shifan looked back and said, "Have I made it clear enough? If nothing happens, you can leave!"

After the words fell, Luo Longwen standing aside with a look of fear on his face stood up and said respectfully: "Old Xiaoge, Elder Yange..."

Before Luo Longwen finished speaking, he was interrupted by Yan Shifan: "Father has gone to bed. You have nothing important to do, so it's better not to disturb him. If you have anything, just tell me and I will convey it to you! "

When Luo Longwen heard Yan Shifan's words, a look of hesitation appeared on his face. After thinking about it for a long time, he finally said: "Xiao...Xiao Ge Lao, isn't the court going to cut expenses and abolish the inn? Do you think one day? , cut it on our heads?"

When Luo Longwen finished speaking, many officials at the scene looked eagerly in the direction of Yan Shifan, waiting for his response.

When Yan Shifan heard this, he suddenly understood: "It turns out that they are worried that in order to cut expenses, the imperial court will attack the government at all levels and eliminate redundant officials."

After that, Yan Shifan organized his words in his mind, faced the crowd, and patted his chest as he promised.

"Don't worry, everyone, it won't happen one day. The imperial court just chose to abolish some of the inns that are remote and not highly used in order to reduce the financial burden."

"You know, you all passed the imperial examination and got in with dignity!"

After everyone listened to Yan Shifan's assurance, their anxious hearts calmed down a lot.

After all, as Yan Shifan said, they all passed the imperial examination and were admitted in a dignified manner. Even if they were cut, they could not be cut.

"Okay, it's getting late. If nothing happens, you can leave now!"

"Yes, Mr. Xiaoge, I'll take my leave right now!"

Seeing that his doubts were answered, the officials in the hall had no intention of staying and quickly left.

After everyone was almost gone, Yan Shifan looked away, his face full of mockery, and said silently to himself: "Oh, who knows what will happen in the future?"

……

It's not just Yan's house that's lively. After the imperial court officially announced the decision to cut expenses and abolish the inn, the threshold of Zhang Juzheng's family was almost broken.

Most of the people who came to visit were entrusted by others to dissuade Zhang Juzheng from rashly dismantling the post station.

The reasons given by these people are also varied. Some say that the abolition of the inn will affect the whole body. It cannot be done rashly and must be done with caution.

Others say that it is easy to abolish the inn, but after the inn is abolished, the placement of the remaining people will become a problem, so it is not recommended to abolish the inn.

What's more, they directly brought out the sign that the ancestral methods are immutable, hoping to use this to dispel Zhang Juzheng's determination to abolish the post station.

At this moment, Zhang Juzheng was outside his residence in Beijing.

Yang Mu, a doctor in the carriage cleaning department, was wandering back and forth outside the door extremely anxiously.

When he learned that the person who asked the emperor to abolish the post station at the imperial meeting was his immediate superior Zhang Juzheng, he was dumbfounded.

You must know that the Chaozhan Cleaning Department is a department under the Ministry of War, and Zhang Juzheng's move is to use a knife on himself.

After repeatedly confirming the news and getting off duty, Yang Mu rushed to Zhang Juzheng's residence in the capital without stopping, without caring about anything else, to persuade him to take back his life.

In Yang Mu's view, Zhang Juzheng's request to the imperial court to abolish the post station was tantamount to reducing the weight of the Chaojia Cleaning Department, which was also a department under the Ministry of War. By then, the position of the War Department among the six ministries would be reduced. Inevitably implicated.

"Well, I don't know what the Lord Shangshu thinks. Why do you want to propose to your Majesty the abolition of the inn?"

Just as Yang Mu's thoughts were racing, he saw the young man who had gone in to report earlier come to him, lowered his head, and reported respectfully: "Sir, you can go in now, my master is waiting for you in the hall!"

When Yang Mu heard this, he suddenly came back to his senses and returned the courtesy to the boy: "Well, thank you for your trouble!"

After that, without any hesitation, Yang Mu immediately entered the mansion through the side door under the guidance of his servant.

As soon as he entered the door, Yang Mu's eyes were attracted by the wolfberry trees in the mansion.

"It's really strange that in the Lord Shangshu's house, wolfberry trees are planted instead of green bamboos."

After the servant took Yang Mu to his destination, he bowed his hands to him and turned around to leave.

Yang Mu took a deep breath and calmed down before stepping into it.

After all, what he has to face next is Zhang Juzheng, the Minister of War, his immediate boss, and the youngest cabinet minister in the current dynasty.

……

After entering it, Yang Mu successfully met Zhang Juzheng.

At this time, Zhang Juzheng was sitting in the main seat, sipping the wolfberry water from the cup.

Seeing this situation, Yang Mu did not dare to be negligent. He immediately leaned down and said respectfully: "I have seen the Lord Shangshu!"

Hearing this, Zhang Juzheng glanced at Yang Mu, pointed to the empty seat beside him, and said, "Sit down!"

"Thank you, sir!"

Upon hearing this, Yang Mu didn't refuse at all. After bowing his hands to Zhang Juzheng, he sat on the empty seat beside him.

Not long after Yang Mu sat down, a servant came forward and brought him a bowl of steaming tea.

Then, Zhang Juzheng's voice without a trace of emotion was heard: "Are you also here to persuade me not to abolish the post station rashly?"

When Yang Mu heard Zhang Juzheng's words, a look of panic suddenly appeared on his face. After hesitating for a long time, he finally said bravely: "Yes, Lord Shangshu!"

After Yang Mu finished speaking, he paused for a moment, then looked in the direction of Zhang Juzheng, and continued: "Master Shangshu, I don't understand, this official is a department under the Ministry of War. If the post station is abolished, it will be impossible." It will inevitably affect the weight of our Ministry of War among the six departments!"

"Not only that, the relationship between them is intricate. In the Ming Dynasty, there were countless people who relied on the inns to make a living. It can be said that one hair can affect the whole body."

"At that time, many troubles may arise. I sincerely ask the Lord to be careful!"

When Yang Mu said this, he had a resolute expression on his face.

Zhang Juzheng, who was sitting in the main seat, after listening to the reasons given by Yang Mu, pondered for a moment and spoke unhurriedly.

"I understand what you said, but you are wrong about one thing. The abolition of the post station will not only not reduce the weight of our military department among the six departments, but will actually increase it."

Facing Yang Mu's doubtful gaze, Zhang Juzheng continued to explain: "I propose to Your Majesty that the management rights of the post stations across the country be returned to the central government. When the time comes, this task will inevitably be It falls on your frame cleaning department!"

"The Chariot Cleaning Department was originally responsible for the country's horse administration, as well as relay and other matters. In the near future, the relay stations across the country will also be under your jurisdiction!"

After Yang Mu listened to Zhang Juzheng's explanation, his breathing became rapid.

If things are really like what Zhang Juzheng said, then in the future, the Chariot and Cleaning Department under his jurisdiction will leap from a small and unknown department to a large department responsible for managing post stations across the country in the Ming Dynasty.

In other words, the power at hand will be greatly increased in the future, and it is possible to go further!

While Yang Mu was still daydreaming about the future situation in his mind, Zhang Juzheng's voice sounded again: "But before that, some of the inns with remote roads and low usage rates must be abolished to show determination and let His Majesty." See what you are capable of!”

"Only with His Majesty's approval, will I be able to continue to put burdens on you in the future, do you understand?"

When Yang Mu heard Zhang Juzheng's words, he suddenly came back to his senses, looked stern, and assured Zhang Juzheng: "Sir, don't worry, I will do my best to get this matter done!"

Zhang Juzheng took in the expression on Yang Mu's face, nodded, and then said: "Well, just go ahead and do it. If you have anything, I will take care of it for you!"

"I obey, Lord Shangshu!"

Different from when he came, when Yang Mu left, all the hesitation on his face disappeared, replaced by a look of perseverance.

He knew very well that only by completing what Zhang Juzheng had asked him to do would he be able to move forward.

"I have worked conscientiously in the court for so many years, and I am still only a fifth-rank official. Rather than continue to waste my time, I might as well risk everything and give it a try. Isn't it just to offend others? Who is to be afraid of!"

After that, Yang Mu suppressed all the chaotic thoughts in his heart and subconsciously quickened his pace.

After he planned to return, he informed many of his colleagues in the Frame Cleaning Department about the news. He believed that no one could resist this temptation.

After all, the opportunity to go further is right in front of you, and anyone will choose to fight for it. (End of chapter)