Chapter 178:
Ever since he took the elixir, Jiajing's body has been reversed with cold and heat.
It's April now, and the weather is extremely cold this year. It snowed in the capital not long ago.
However, in the Renshou Palace in Xiyuan, the palace door was wide open, and the cold wind blew through the palace. Emperor Jiajing, who was wearing a thin Taoist robe, did not feel cold at all.
In order to serve the emperor, the young eunuch did not dare to wear more clothes and could only serve him in thin clothes.
The emperor, who loved meditating and cultivating immortality, rarely got down to business today and was reading the petitions from the chief seal officials from various places one by one.
The Minister of the Ministry of War, who had always advocated easing peace, was kicked out of the court. The imperial cabinet was full of policies to pacify the Japanese, but none of them satisfied the emperor.
In fact, the emperor did not have much confidence in the memorials given by these local officials.
Although the ministers of the imperial court and the officials of the Ministry of Education were annoying, they were all second-level Jinshi. Only those who ranked first in the palace examination could stay in the capital as officials. Those who ranked poorly in the palace examination were sent to local officials.
In other words, during the imperial examination, these local officials had already been dismissed.
If nothing else happens, they can only serve in successive places, then return to the capital with no merit but hard work, and retire as middle-level officials in the Six Ministries.
The emperor asked local officials to submit a letter because the emperor did not trust the ministers around him.
Emperor Jiajing was a very smart man, but also a very jealous man.
Since the Renchen Palace change in the 21st year of Jiajing, Jiajing's suspicion of the people and officials around him has reached a new level.
He asked the leading officials in Southern Zhili, Fujian, and Guangdong to submit a report, in order to hear different voices from the Yan Party and Qingliu.
The Japanese rebellion could not be quelled for a long time, and Anda invaded the border in the north. Emperor Jiajing was eager to know the situation in the southeast.
However, after reading the memorial title for a long time, Emperor Jiajing was also a little tired. A fat eunuch came up and said, "Your Majesty, my ministers can
read it for you."
Emperor Jiajing nodded slightly, left the imperial case, and lay down. Collapse.
The eunuch who could serve Emperor Jiajing personally was of course the most powerful eunuch in the Forbidden City. This fat eunuch was named Huang Jin, and he had been serving Jiajing since he was in Prince Xingxian's palace.
Nowadays, Huang Jin is the eunuch of the Bureau of Ceremony, Bingbi, and the director of the Dongchang factory. He is a powerful eunuch who even greets the ministers of the cabinet when they see him.
Huang Jin read word for word in Mandarin:
"I would like to ask you about the affairs of Yanping Prefecture in Fujian Province."
Emperor Jiajing shook his hand and said, "Don't read too much about it."
Huang Jin immediately skipped the previous nonsense and went directly Let’s start with the part about Ping Japanese Jinghai’s Seven Strategies.
"A day of fasting and worshiping the God of the Sea."
Hearing this, Emperor Jiajing's brows relaxed a little. The Yanping prefect was a sensible person.
Jiajing kept Magistrate Fang in mind. If there was a chance for promotion next time, or if Magistrate Fang's name was mentioned when the Ministry of Personnel recommended officials, then he would have a high chance of being promoted.
This is the so-called "Simplicity in the heart of the emperor". In the feudal autocratic society, a name that is familiar to the leader is more effective than any great achievements.
"Second, increase revenue and reduce expenditure."
This is a cliché. Who doesn't know about increasing revenue and reducing expenditure?
But whose source is it? Whose flow is it?
Emperor Jiajing knew in his heart that when those officials of Qingliu talked about reducing expenditure, they would talk about the newly built palaces.
When Yan Dang talked about the source of income, he was clamoring for donations. Now that the imperial court has opened the door to accept grain into prisons, if this continues, he will sell his official position and win titles.
Although Emperor Jiajing was obsessed with immortality, he did not want to leave a reputation in the history books as a pedant.
Emperor Jiajing was originally planning to let Huang Jin jump over it, but he heard Huang Jin start to recite the "Chao Pass Method".
Huang Jinnian was speechless. In fact, he didn't know much about Chaoguan. Originally, Huang Jin just wanted to read it as soon as possible, but the emperor struck the copper ring.
"Read it again!"
Huang Jin was about to read it again when the emperor came over and snatched the memorial, "No, I will read it myself!"
After carefully reading the note sealing method, Emperor Jiajing suddenly burst into laughter.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty?"
Huang Jin was startled, thinking that the Emperor was suffering from anxiety, but he heard Jiajing say:
"This Yanping prefect is a loyal minister!"
Huang Jin looked at Jiajing in disbelief, standing beside the emperor. After serving for many years, he was well aware of the emperor's evaluation system for ministers.
The last thing waiting is the "crazy and disobedient minister". Whenever the emperor says this sentence, the official's career will almost come to an end. Demotion is considered a mercy, and imprisonment and court battles are normal.
The better ones are "mediocre and stupid ministers", which are labeled as incompetent in the emperor's mind. Even if they are not punished, they will not be promoted in the future.
On the upper level are "competent ministers". Those who can get this evaluation are on the emperor's list and can be promoted and reused as long as there is an opportunity.
And "loyal minister" is the highest praise.
Obviously, for the suspicious emperor, loyalty is the most important attribute, far surpassing "talent".
This memorial from the prefect of Yanping received first-class evaluation. Huang Jin secretly kept this name in his heart, and it might not take a few years before he could see him in the court.
"Copy one copy and send it to the cabinet, and copy another copy to the household department!" "
In addition, bring his files from Dongchang."
Huang Jin hadn't seen the emperor so excited for a long time, but he was in the study room. Although I have read books, I don’t know much about financial matters. Although I understand the content of the "Chao Guan Law", I cannot appreciate the subtleties.
Seeing the emperor's excited look, Huang Jin quickly ordered the young eunuch to come over and copy it, and then went to Dongchang himself to retrieve the files of the prefect Fang.
By the time Huang Jin returned to Renshou Palace, copies of the memorial from the prefect had been sent to the cabinet and the Ministry of Revenue.
Emperor Jiajing took over the files from Magistrate Fang and quickly read through the thin files, feeling even happier.
He was a top three Jinshi in the 31st year of Jiajing reign. He had a clean background and did not join any faction of the Yan Party or Qingliu.
During his tenure as magistrate, his political performance and official reputation were good, and he was indeed a capable minister.
This kind of official with an innocent background is naturally the emperor's favorite.
But Yanping Mansion.
The suspicious emperor tapped the place name with his fingers, and new doubts arose in his heart.
After the memorial from the prefect was sent to the cabinet and the Ministry of Household Affairs, it also caused huge waves.
Yan Song is an expert in financial management. Although he is old, he still sees the subtleties of this "money pass method"!
This is a set of executable policies that integrates implementation plans and supervision plans, and is targeted at merchants transporting goods in the South Zhili area.
The insufficient collection of commercial taxes by the state and dynasty has been a long-standing maladministration. It is politically correct to tax these merchants!
On this point alone, the scholars of Manchu Dynasty had no room to refute. Competing with the people? Which people would hire caravan ships to transport goods?
You say you are exploiting the people, but merchants can deduct the taxes after they pay taxes and go to the city to do business. They have to pay these taxes when doing business. The "Customs Bank Law" does not even count as a tax increase, so how can you say that you are exploiting the people?
After Yan Song finished reading, he sighed heavily and said: "The future generations are terrible, I am old."
In the cabinet, Xu Jie, the second assistant, was calm on the surface, but his eyes were fixed on the memorial in Yan Song's hand.
Originally, the cabinet was about to get off work at this time, but suddenly such a memorial came from the palace. The eunuch was still standing at the door of the cabinet waiting for the ministers to reply. This matter had an unusual smell.
It's a pity that he is still the second assistant and has to wait until Yan Song finishes reading before it can be his turn.
Xu Jie had always hidden his covetousness for the position of chief assistant very well, but at this moment he wished he could replace Yan Song immediately.
"Mr. Xu Ge, you should also take a look."
Yan Song didn't know whether it was intentional or unintentional. He sighed for a long time before handing the memorial to Xu Jie.
Xu Jie took the memorial and quickly read it. He was as shocked as Yan Song.
Where did this prefect of Yanping Prefecture come from?
Yan Song looked at Xu Jie with a tentative expression in his eyes.
Xu Jie worked as an official in Yanping Mansion, and there must be some disciples and former officials in Yanping Mansion.
Could this prefect Fang be someone secretly introduced by Qingliu?
But Xu Jie was also wronged!
He really doesn’t know Fang Zhifu!
However, Xu Jie quickly adjusted his mentality. It didn't matter if he didn't know him. As long as he was not a member of the Yan Party, he could bring the prefect over!
This memorial quickly spread among the cabinet and the Ministry of Household Affairs.
At this time, Zhao Wenhua, the right minister of the Ministry of Industry, came back from an inspection outside the city and hurriedly went home to write a memorial.
He has almost finished writing "Ping Wo Shu", and he has been pondering this memorial for a long time. He will definitely be able to soar into the sky with this article!
Ida invaded the border to avoid repeating the past of Baozong, so the Ministry of Industry sent Zhao Wenhua to build the outer wall of the capital.
After finally finishing the project, Zhao Wenhua heard a shocking news before he could sit down in the study.
Fang Wanghai, the magistrate of Yanping Prefecture in Fujian Province, made great contributions to the seven measures to pacify the Japanese. He was promoted to the right of the Imperial Procuratorate and censor of Qiandu, and he inspected the anti-Japanese affairs in Jiangnan and Zhejiang.
He also appointed Fang Wanghai as the Sihai Zhaijiao envoy to worship the God of the Sea in Zhejiang. At the same time, he set up a special Chaoguan envoy to take charge of Jiangnan and Zhejiang Chaoguan affairs. They were under the rule of the Hubu Department of Nanzhili, but all the banknotes put into the treasury by Chaoguan were given away. Enter Tai warehouse.
This edict was quickly confirmed by the cabinet and the Ministry of Officials, and was immediately sent to Fujian.
This promotion speed is ridiculous!
The prefect of Yanping is an official of the fifth rank, and the right official of the Duchayuan is the fourth rank. This promotion is not outrageous.
But the subsequent powers are outrageous.
The governorship of Jiangnan and Zhejiang, which are the most blessed places in the world, means that the governor is an imperial envoy and is not a permanent position. However, this means that Fang Wanghai has the right to reveal secrets to the emperor or directly submit memorials to the cabinet.
The Sihai Zhai Jiao envoy was a Taoist official, and Emperor Jiajing prayed for immortality. This was regarded as a manifestation of the emperor's favor.
What kind of official is that Chaoguan envoy? Return directly to Nanzhili under the Ministry of Household Affairs, and all the money collected will go to the Taiwarehouse of the Ministry of Household Affairs?
Anyone who is familiar with the government knows that this is the most important position.
This means that if Fang Wanghai can do this job well, there will be room for promotion in the future!
What kind of outrageous speed is this?
When they first entered the officialdom, local officials were promoted faster than officials in the capital.
However, it is difficult for local officials to be promoted after reaching a certain level, so there is an inequality that the seventh-grade Beijing official is greater than the fifth-grade local official.
But the right-hand censor of the Metropolitan Procuratorate is a capital official! Moreover, he is a clear and noble official.
The Shujishi who was in the same year as Fang Wanghai had not been promoted to the fourth rank.
When Zhao Wenhua heard the news, his first reaction was anger.
Zhai Jiao to the God of the Sea was also the first thing that came to his mind, Fang Wanghai, the sycophant! He actually used the emperor to worship Tao!
But soon the "Cash Pass Law" came out from the Ministry of Household Affairs, and Zhao Wenhua was stunned.
He is also proficient in financial planning, so he naturally knows the beauty of this method.
Zhao Wenhua is from Cixi, Zhejiang, and he knows that the commerce in Jiangsu and Zhejiang is prosperous. If he really uses this method to collect enough "money tariffs", then Fang Wanghai will definitely become famous!
Zhao Wenhua really couldn't figure out where this Fang Wanghai came from and how he could come up with such an exquisite policy?
Zhao Wenhua finally knew why Fang Wanghai was appointed so quickly, because neither Yan Dang nor Qingliu could raise objections to the "Cash Pass Law".
Coupled with the emperor's support, the cabinet and officials quickly passed the edict.
Zhao Wenhua tore up his memorial, but in his heart he was extremely wary of Fang Wanghai.
If Fang Wanghai enters the capital in the future, this person must be his enemy!
Zhao Wenhua quickly took the gift and rushed to his godfather Yan Song's house to find out the details of Fang Wanghai.
Su Ze didn't know what was happening far away in the capital. He came to Tongmu Town, where the owners of tea gardens on Wuyi Mountain gathered here to discuss how to share the tribute silver.
Cai Yuanwai is dead, Xiong Yue's mother has received a certificate from the court, the official uniform has also overturned the previously signed contract, and the Wuyi Mountain tea tribute will be redistributed.
Sitting at the table, Su Ze saw for the first time what it means to harm each other at the bottom.
When the tribute silver was distributed, the owners of several small tea houses accused other small tea house owners of being unruly, selling tea at low prices, and stealing tea from neighboring tea gardens, and they started fighting.
On the contrary, the owners of several large tea gardens sat firmly on the Diaoyutai and turned away the tribute silver they should bear in a few words.
Su Ze is also the owner of such a large tea garden. Although it is his first time to participate in such a meeting, no one dares to ask him to bear more tribute silver.
What's going on? Shouldn't these small tea plantation owners unite to deal with the big tea plantation owners?
Su Ze looked at this scene with confusion, why was it different from the scene he imagined.
Mother Xiong sat next to Su Ze. Now that she had the honor of the imperial court, others did not dare to force her like before.
Mother Bear said: "Sir, you are curious, why don't they join forces to ask for a fairer division?"
Su Ze nodded.
Mother Xiong said: "Those of us in small tea houses care about every penny and every baht. We have already forged countless grievances on weekdays. If he pays more for the tribute and silver, he will pay less for himself. No one expects those big merchants. Can you pay more tribute silver?"
Su Ze asked doubtfully: "Why?"
"If a large tea plantation sells tea at a low price, the first to be unable to survive are the small tea plantation owners, and those big tea plantation owners are all people with status in the county. , how can we, small tea plantation owners, compete with us?"
Only then did Su Ze understand that there were only a few people like Xiong Yue who had the courage to resist, and most of the lower-level people competed for resources from other lower-level people.
Su Ze cleared his throat and said,
"I suggest that we share the tribute money according to the size of the tea garden."
After Su Ze spoke, the owners of the big tea gardens couldn't sit still. They all glared at Su Ze, which would obviously make them bear more tribute. silver.
But before they could stand up, a man wearing a soap-colored official uniform rushed into the venue:
"Brother Aze! You are the head of the case! Little Sanyuan!"
Everyone looked at Su Ze, who was ready to come up just now The owners of the big tea gardens who were arguing with Su Ze all smiled:
"According to Su Ze's plan, we will share the tea tribute with the acres of tea gardens."
"Congratulations to Su Ze!"
(End of this chapter)