I, Jiajing, successfully cultivated immortality

"Well, it seems that Mr. Gao Ge is thinking the same thing as me. This is His Majesty paving the way for inventory of land acres and restraining land annexation!"

When Zhang Juzheng's words fell, Gao Gong's face on the side was filled with a look of horror that could not be concealed.

Then, he quickly stood up from his seat and signaled Zhang Juzheng to be silent. After repeatedly confirming that the partition wall had no ears, he felt relieved.

"Shh, keep your voice down. You can't talk nonsense. If the news accidentally spreads, won't it make those in the court be on guard?"

"Wouldn't this be equivalent to letting His Majesty's hard work go to waste?"

When Gao Gong said this, he paused for a moment, looked in the direction of Zhang Juzheng, and asked rhetorically: "Do you think His Majesty asked our cabinet to come forward to rank each department based on its performance and efficiency over the past year? What?"

"This Gao Gong is really not simple. He can actually detect His Majesty's true intention!"

Zhang Juzheng sighed with emotion, then came back to his senses, pretended to be belatedly aware of it, and responded respectfully: "Thank you, Mr. Gao Ge, for reminding me, I understand!"

Gao Gong took in all the expressions on Zhang Juzheng's face, stroked his beard, and a trace of relief flashed across his face.

If he had to use one sentence to describe Zhang Juzheng at this time, Gao Gong would prefer to use the sentence "A gentleman hides his weapons in his body and waits for the time to move."

Although Zhang Juzheng now has great ambitions, he is determined to get rid of bad government like his idol Zhang Cong and let the people of the world live a good life.

But its current strength is weak, and it still needs to continue to lie dormant and accumulate strength in secret. Only when the time is right can it soar into the sky.

"Previously Mr. Xu Ge had promised that he would personally recommend Zhang Juzheng to His Majesty as a fellow examiner when the imperial court holds an examination next year!"

"Given how much His Majesty values ​​Zhang Juzheng, he will naturally agree happily. At that time, Zhang Juzheng can take this opportunity to vigorously win over those new scholars, and the power under his command will also skyrocket!"

"Reform cannot be achieved overnight. In the future, Zhang Juzheng may need to continue the reform measures I have set!"

……

Just when Gao Gong was thinking about this, he heard Zhang Juzheng's voice without a trace of emotion: "Old Gao Ge, I dare to ask you, in your opinion, what are the shortcomings of our Ming Dynasty today?"

Gao Gong saw that Zhang Juzheng was asking him questions without any concealment, and he had no intention of hiding it. After thinking about it for a moment, Gao Gong followed up and said.

"Since His Majesty lifted the maritime ban and vigorously developed maritime trade, most of the shortcomings of the empty treasury that plagued our Ming Dynasty have been eliminated!"

"Today, the biggest shortcoming of our Ming Dynasty is the serious redundancy of officials, rampant corruption among officials at all levels, and the serious situation of land annexation!"

"In my opinion, it is necessary to implement a set of effective methods to rectify the management of officials. To sum up, the remaining ills are nothing more than "bad laws", "blackmail", "meanness", "jealousy" and "shirk". ", "Party rivalry", "living aside", and "floating words"."

"If you want to change it, you must start with the legal system. First of all, you need to supervise and teach the law. To understand the legal system, you need to start with the new academicians, assign them to various yamen, set the curriculum, add exams from time to time, and use the assessment results as a basis for selection.”

"Secondly, punishment is the responsibility of the people. The Ministry of Punishment is the general manager of punishment. There are officials at the top and subordinates at the bottom. If the punishment officer cannot be appointed for a long time, he will not have deep experience and is not mature enough to pay attention to it. In this way, How about making decisions for the people?"

After Zhang Juzheng listened to these measures proposed by Gao Gong, his face was full of excitement. In his opinion, Gao Gong's understanding of the current shortcomings of the Ming Dynasty was very original and comprehensive.

Then, Gao Gong's voice was heard again: "In addition, in terms of employment, there is also an urgent need for reform. Let's take the military as an example. The Ministry of War currently has one minister and two ministers. If there is a war on the border, And if one of the ministers on the left and right happens to be there, wouldn't it delay the fight?"

"Therefore, the Ministry of War should add a few more ministers as appropriate. In this way, even if there are officials in the Ministry of War, the impact can be avoided to the greatest extent."

"In addition, more care needs to be given to those civil and military officials who are guarding the border and preparing for war. At the very least, they must be given priority in promotion!"

"The army should also enforce military discipline, train a large number of grassroots and middle-level officers who are brave in combat, and promote them. In this way, the combat effectiveness of our Ming army can be improved!"

"Political performance should be the basis for evaluating officials, rather than imperial examination qualifications or examination rankings. Even if he is a Jinshi, it doesn't matter, as long as his political performance is not up to standard, he will still not be promoted!"

At this time, Zhang Juzheng had fully understood Gao Gong's ideas. To sum up, it was nothing more than starting with the legal system, paying attention to laws and regulations, holding criminal officials for a long time, and being eclectic in terms of employment, and evaluating officials based on political performance as the only basis.

On this basis, a set of effective methods will be implemented to supervise and evaluate officials.

"I remember that Mr. Xiao Ge proposed a set of examination methods for supervising and assessing the clan and nobles in front of everyone at the cabinet meeting. That method may be applied here! "

Thinking of this, Zhang Juzheng could not help but feel a flash of excitement on his face. Then, he looked at Gao Gong and turned to say: "By the way, Mr. Gao Ge, I wonder if you still remember what Mr. Xiaoge proposed in public. That assessment method?"

Gao Gong was obviously impressed by this. After thinking about it for a moment, he asked tentatively: "You mean, the examination method specifically for clans and nobles that Mr. Xiaoge proposed earlier?"

Hearing this, Zhang Juzheng nodded and said in a deep voice: "Yes, exactly!"

"Didn't His Majesty send all the clan members and noble disciples who passed the examination to serve in Bozhou?"

"That's what I think. Since this method of examination works for the clan and nobles, it will naturally work for the civil and military officials of the Ming Dynasty!"

When Gao Gong heard this, he suddenly understood.

Then, he suddenly slapped his thigh and said excitedly: "Yes, we just need to wait and see how effective this examination method is for clans and nobles in practice!"

"Then on this basis, just delete and revise those unreasonable clauses appropriately!"

"When the law of examination is extended to the whole country, the imperial court will be able to take advantage of the situation and include the land survey as a political achievement in the assessment of officials, and impose heavy taxes on the wealthy gentry and wealthy households who have acquired large amounts of land, in order to stabilize the land." merger!"

When Gao Gong said this, he clenched his fists subconsciously, and his breathing became rapid because he was so excited.

"Yes, as long as the examination method is successfully implemented, many problems will be solved!"

Afterwards, Gao Gong supported his chin with one hand and began to think about how to promote the examination method to the whole country and implement it.

"The current Right Capital Censor of the Inspectorate, Shi Hairui, is an upright and upright person who hates evil. Perhaps we can use the power of the Inspectorate to supervise the specific implementation of the examination law. The other six subjects..."

Zhang Juzheng on the side saw this situation and did not bother him. After Gao Gong came to his senses, he stood up from his seat and said goodbye to Gao Gong at the right time: "Mr. Gao Ge, it's getting late, so I'll take my leave first!"

After that, Zhang Juzheng rejected Gao Gong's request to see him off in person, but left on his own.

……

After Zhang Juzheng left, Gao Gong excitedly prepared pen and paper, immersed himself in the desk, and began to further sort out the ideas in his mind.

"In addition to those mentioned earlier, the floods in the Yellow River cannot be ignored. The imperial court invests a lot of money in this every year. If the floods in the Yellow River can be controlled, wouldn't it be possible to save a lot of money?"

"I heard that Pan Jixun, the left minister of Dali Temple, has talents in managing waterways. I can go and inspect it some other day. In addition, Li Yan, the governor of Guangdong and Guangxi, is also an old man who has been with me for so many years..."

Soon, Gao Gong wrote an entire article eloquently. The content above was all about the matters that he determined needed to be reformed and the people who should be employed.

Time passed by slowly. I don’t know how long it had passed. I saw Gao Gong getting up from behind the desk and looking away from the paper in front of him.

"Oh, it's easy to say, but it's not easy to implement the test method!"

Gao Gong knew very well that the implementation of the examination method would definitely affect the interests of most officials. When the time comes, the criticism he would receive would be unimaginable.

"Gao Gong, are you really ready to face this storm?"

When Gao Gong thought of this, a trace of confusion flashed across his face.

After a long time, he suppressed all the chaotic thoughts in his heart, clenched his fists, slowly stood up from his seat, and said silently to himself: "Change will lead to improvement, change will lead to blockage, change will lead to prosperity, and change will lead to decline. , change leads to survival, change leads to death!”

"Now the Ming Dynasty has reached a point where it must change. Since someone has to take this initiative, let me do it!"

"No matter whether it is success or failure in the end, right or wrong, future generations will comment!"

After that, Gao Gong stretched out his hand, picked up the piece of paper with the items that needed to be reformed and the people who should use it, and then put it close to the candlelight.

The paper gradually burned under the lick of the orange candle flame. Gao Gong just watched the paper in his hand burn and gradually turn into ashes.

In the process, Gao Gong's inner thoughts became more and more determined.

After the paper was completely burned and turned into ashes, the high-arched face was filled with an inexplicable look, and he murmured to himself: "Now is not the time yet!"

……

The new year is approaching, and except for a very small number of officials who are still working on the last remaining matters, most officials in the capital are already looking forward to the holiday.

Soon, the cabinet also announced the holiday time for this year, which will start from the Lantern Festival and last until the twentieth day of the first lunar month.

After the officials learned of this notification, they cried with gratitude and shouted long live.

This means that officials who have been walking on thin ice for a whole year can also seize this opportunity to take a breather.

Not long ago, along with the salary, there were year-end bonuses based on the rankings of each department.

Many officials have received a hefty year-end bonus. In addition to the recent salary increase, their funds are gradually becoming more abundant. Therefore, they no longer have to be as stretched as in previous years.

Once your hands are wide open, your mind will naturally become more active. Therefore, there will be an endless stream of banquets among officials, and many troubles will arise.

Regarding these incidents, Ding Shichang, Yin of Shuntian Prefecture, also felt quite troubled. In desperation, he had no choice but to adopt a conciliatory attitude to ensure that neither party was offended.

In the government office, Ding Shichang picked up a tea cup with wolfberry water on the side, took a sip, and said to himself: "According to the clerk at Liuxinju, the elders drink this kind of wolfberry. Now look Come on, you don’t feel like there’s anything special about it?” At present, in the official circles of the capital, a new trend is gradually becoming popular, that is, drinking wolfberry in water.

There is a saying that if there are good people at the top, there must be bad people at the bottom. Since the high-ranking cabinet ministers all use wolfberry to soak in water and drink it, it must be very good for the body.

With the idea of ​​​​catching up with the trend, many officials, as well as wealthy and wealthy households, even spent a lot of money to buy wolfberry to drink with water.

The purpose is to take the opportunity to experience the feelings of the pavilion elders. If that doesn't work, it would be nice to have a common topic.

And wolfberry has gradually become a gift for officials, and the price of wolfberry has been rising. But even so, there is an endless stream of officials going to buy it.

Capital City, Yan Mansion.

At this moment, in the room, Yan Shifan looked at the letter sent by Boss Zhao from Liuxinju, his face full of excitement that could not be concealed.

Recently, rumors spread in the capital that the elders were using wolfberry to soak water, and it was under his instruction that it spread.

And he asked Boss Zhao of Liuxinju to stock up a large amount of wolfberry for sale in advance.

The result of the matter also made Yan Shifan quite satisfied. The wolfberries he had hoarded earlier were sold out in less than half a month.

Moreover, there was an endless stream of rich and wealthy people who came to buy wolfberry, and the price of wolfberry also continued to rise.

Afterwards, Yan Shifan put down the letter in his hand and said with emotion: "This money is really easy to make. In just a short time, one hundred thousand taels of silver were paid into the account, not to mention the subsequent dividends..."

While Yan Shifan was still thinking about the next step, he heard a slight knock on the door, and then the butler's voice sounded: "Mr. Xiaoge, I want you to come over immediately!"

"Okay, I got it, I'll be there right away!"

Upon hearing this, Yan Shifan suppressed all the chaotic thoughts in his heart, stood up from behind the desk, and gave the order.

"Father came to see me. Is it possible that he has something to explain?"

With such doubts in mind, Yan Shifan immediately set foot on the road to Yan Song's room without any hesitation.

……

After taking a deep breath and calming down, Yan Shifan knocked on the door of Yan Song's room: "Father?"

Then, Yan Song's voice was heard from inside the room: "Come in!"

When the words fell, Yan Shifan immediately stepped into the room without any hesitation.

At this time, the charcoal fire in the house was burning brightly. As soon as he entered the door, Yan Shifan felt that most of the chill in his body was driven away.

At this moment, Yan Song was lying facelessly on the bed, holding an unknown book in his hand.

Seeing Yan Shifan come in, Yan Song looked away from the book, then stretched out his hand, pointed to the empty seat beside him, and said: "Sit down!"

"Yes, father!"

When Yan Shifan heard the words, he didn't refuse at all. After answering, he sat down on the empty seat beside him.

Seeing that Yan Song had no intention of speaking, Yan Shifan looked anxiously in the direction of Yan Song and asked: "Father...Father, do you have anything to do with the child?"

When Yan Song heard this, he just glanced at Yan Shifan indifferently and asked: "Are the recent rumors about wolfberry in the capital related to you?"

Seeing Yan Song's determined tone, Yan Shifan had no intention of hiding it. He nodded and admitted the matter quite cleanly: "Yes, father, the child sent someone to fuel this matter behind the scenes!"

"In less than a month, my child has earned one hundred thousand taels of silver, not to mention the subsequent dividends!"

When Yan Shifan said this, his face was full of excitement that could not be concealed.

After learning the news from Yan Shifan, Yan Song stroked his forehead helplessly and then said: "Okay, after making this profit, stop it and don't continue it. !”

"But...but father, the price of wolfberry is soaring right now, and there will be a lot of dividends in the future!"

Hearing this, Yan Shifan's face was full of surprise. Then, he mustered up the courage to look in the direction of Yan Song and admonished him like this.

When Yan Song heard Yan Shifan's words, a look of hatred appeared on his face.

After that, Yan Song suddenly sat up from the bed, looked in the direction of Yan Shifan, and reprimanded: "You are useless, are you a businessman, or are you the minister of the Ministry of Industry of the Ming Dynasty?"

When Yan Song said this, he paused for a moment, and then continued: "If you took out some of your money and used it for good purposes, would you still be the Minister of the Ministry of Industry? Look at Hu Ruzhen..."

After being scolded by Yan Song, Yan Shifan lowered his head and responded respectfully: "Yes, father, the child understands!"

Seeing this, Yan Song looked at Yan Shifan up and down, and felt a lot less angry.

Then, he looked away from Yan Shifan and said, "Pass the teacup to me!"

Upon hearing this, Yan Shifan stepped forward without any hesitation, handed the tea cup not far away to Yan Song, and said respectfully: "Father!"

"Ah."

Hearing this, Yan Song glanced at Yan Shifan and responded in a subtle way. Then, Yan Song took the tea cup from Yan Shifan's hand.

Seeing this situation, Yan Shifan couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. He knew that Yan Song had calmed down.

After taking the teacup filled with wolfberry from Yan Shifan's hand and taking a sip, Yan Song put down the teacup in his hand.

Then, as if he suddenly remembered something, Yan Song looked in the direction of Yan Shifan and asked, "By the way, didn't I ask you to stare at Xu Jie earlier? Is there any movement?"

When Yan Shifan heard this, he thought about it for a moment and responded: "Father, there hasn't been much movement at Xu Jie's side recently, but his eldest son Xu Fan suddenly reported illness and returned home!"

"Oh, Xu Fan reported illness and returned to his hometown. Is the news reliable?"

After learning the news from Yan Shifan, the expression on Yan Song's face suddenly became extremely serious and he asked.

Facing Yan Song's gaze, Yan Shifan nodded, with a confident look on his face: "Father, this news is absolutely true. Xu Fan left the capital as early as yesterday and returned to Songjiang Mansion!"

"Father, why are you paying so much attention to this Xu Fan? Could it be that Xu Jie is doing something behind his back?"

At this time, Yan Song had no intention of answering Yan Shifan's doubts. He just waved his hand casually and said slowly: "It's nothing serious, I'm just curious!"

After that, Yan Song changed the topic and continued: "Okay, it's none of your business, go down first!"

"Yes, father, please leave now!"

Upon hearing this, Yan Shifan immediately stood up from his seat without any hesitation and bowed to Yan Song.

After Yan Shifan left, Yan Song looked back and said silently to himself: "Xu Jie, Xu Jie, you finally listened to what I said. It seems that I, as the chief minister of the cabinet, can continue to be!"

……

Forbidden City, Qianqing Palace.

At this moment, Jiajing was sitting on the dragon chair, listening to the report from Lu Fang.

"Your Majesty, I have found out that many of the recent rumors about wolfberry in the capital are all caused by Mr. Xiaoge. Together with Boss Zhao from Liuxinju, he stocked up on wolfberry in advance and made huge profits from it!"

After Lu Fang finished reporting, she immediately lowered her head, said nothing, and quietly waited for Jiajing's decision.

"This Yan Shifan has a very lively mind. He can actually think of making money from this aspect!"

After listening to Lu Fang's report, a look of surprise flashed across Jiajing's face. He gently rubbed the carved dragon head on the dragon chair with his hand and sighed with a smile.

At this moment, Lu Fang raised her head, looked in the direction of Jiajing, and said cautiously: "Your Majesty... Your Majesty, do you want to go and warn me? After all, this is really..."

Jiajing heard Lu Fang's words. After pondering for a moment, he waved his hand and said: "Okay, it's just a small matter. There is no need to go online. Let's see if there is any movement from them next. If not, forget it." Bar!"

"Yes, Your Majesty, I understand!"

When Lu Fang heard this, she immediately leaned down and responded respectfully.

After that, Jiajing's slightly emotional voice was heard: "Lu Fang, it's almost the Chinese New Year, and you've been working hard for a year. I'll give you a few days off, and take this opportunity to have a good rest." Just give it a try!”

When Lu Fang heard Jiajing's words, she couldn't help but feel warm in her heart.

Just as he was about to refuse, Jiajing seemed to have guessed what he was thinking, and spoke first: "Okay, don't be polite, just do as I say!"

Seeing Jiajing's resolute attitude, Lu Fang couldn't refuse anymore, so she could only nod her head and said, "I obey, Your Majesty!" (End of Chapter)