Immediately afterwards, Jiajing knocked on the jade pan aside, and only heard a 'ding' sound. Everyone looked solemn and sat upright. This also meant that the cabinet meeting had officially begun!
Jiajing glanced at Lu Fang, who quickly understood, stood up and said loudly.
"There are three main things discussed today. One is the current situation in Fujian, the other is the various matters related to the opening of Quanzhou Port, and the third is the official appointment of candidates for the Maritime Trade Department!"
After Lu Fang finished speaking, he returned to stand next to Jiajing. Immediately afterwards, several pavilion elders all stood up, bowed slightly to Jiajing and said, "I obey your orders!"
"Okay, if you have any ideas, please feel free to tell me."
Jiajing swept his eyes over everyone and said slowly.
"Your Majesty, please forgive me for speaking frankly. The current situation in Fujian is not optimistic!"
As soon as Jiajing finished speaking, Xu Jie stood up and spoke to Jiajing.
"Oh, how come you see it?"
Jiajing raised his eyebrows and then asked.
"Your Majesty, I believe that the Japanese pirates were rampant in Fujian first, and now there are bandits all over the place! The local people are living in dire straits."
"In order to survive, people will naturally use all means to survive, and will even join bandits just for a bite to eat!" "In addition, when the Japanese pirates were raging before, the local government in Fujian was already severely weakened and was unable to help the people at all. Although now, Tan Lun is in charge of Fujian, but we still can’t take it lightly!”
After Xu Jie finished speaking, he still maintained the same posture as before, waiting for Jiajing's response.
"Well, Mr. Xu Ge's words are reasonable, so in your opinion, what strategy should be adopted?"
Jiajing turned his gaze to Xu Jie and asked in a deep voice.
"Your Majesty, I believe that we should first use thunderous means to clear out the bandits entrenched in Fujian!"
"Then on this basis, we will investigate unjust prisons, punish corrupt officials, appropriately reduce or reduce taxes for local people, and start with the landlords and gentry. At that time, the government will come forward to take back all the land that has been annexed by the landlords and gentry, and then distribute it to the people."
"During the whole process, if anyone dares to disobey, they will be killed on the spot!"
After Xu Jie thought for a moment, he expressed all his thoughts.
"This Xu Jie is really ruthless! In order to package Tan Lun's political achievements, he was able to go so far."
As Xu Jie's old rival, Yan Song naturally knew that the many landowners and gentry in Fujian had inexplicable relationships with the Qingliu faction!
But now, Xu Jie wanted to abandon them for his own benefit.
While his thoughts were swirling, Yan Song stood up and admonished: "Your Majesty, I think that what Mr. Xu Ge just said is biased!"
Yan Song suddenly stood up to refute. Jiajing was not surprised by this, but raised his eyebrows and asked.
"Oh, what do you think Mr. Yan Ge has to say? You might as well tell everyone."
"As you command, Your Majesty!"
After Yan Song bowed slightly to Jiajing, he put forward his own idea.
"Wei Chen agrees with what Mr. Xu Ge said earlier that all the bandits entrenched in Fujian should be wiped out with thunderous means! As for measures such as reducing taxes and punishing corrupt officials, Wei Chen also agrees."
"It's just that what Mr. Xu Ge said just now, that the government will come forward to take back all the land annexed by the landlords and gentry, and then distribute it to the people, is somewhat unrealistic!"
"Let me ask you, there are so many local landlords and gentry. If the government were to investigate them one by one, how long would it take to find them all in the year of the monkey and the month of the horse?"
"As for what Mr. Xu Ge said just now, that those who do not cooperate will be eliminated on the spot, it is even more ridiculous. Which of the laws of the Ming Dynasty states that people who own more land are guilty?"
After listening to Yan Song's objections, Xu Jie said to Jiajing: "Your Majesty, I am 100% sure that we can make the landlords and gentry spit out all the annexed land!"
"What Mr. Yan Ge said just now is clearly an excuse!"
After Xu Jie finished speaking, he glanced at Yan Song beside him, and felt quite strange about this, thinking to himself.
"Yan Song, what does this have to do with you? What I am sacrificing is the interests of my subordinates! Why are you, a strict party member, here to join in the fun?"
After listening to Xu Jie's words, Jiajing pondered for a moment and made the final decision: "Since Mr. Xu Ge said that he is 100% sure that he can make those landlords and gentry spit out the annexed land! Then I am also happy to see it. If it works, just follow what Mr. Xu Ge said."
Seeing that the emperor finally stood on his side, Xu Jie's face was full of excitement and he said respectfully.
"Thank you so much, Your Majesty!"
Jiajing took in the expression on Xu Jie's face, then picked up the teacup on the side and took a sip.
"But I still have to remind you, try not to cause large-scale turmoil. Even if there is turmoil, you have to deal with it! Do you understand?"
"The humble minister will surely live up to His Majesty's great trust!"
After Xu Jie finished speaking, he returned to his seat.
"Okay, this matter is settled! When we get down later, the Ministry of Household Affairs will send a report and transport the required ordnance, grain, wages, etc. to Fujian."
"Your Majesty, Holy Might!"
Seeing that the emperor had made the final decision, everyone did not dare to raise any objections and had no choice but to agree.
After a short rest, Lu Fang spoke again.
"The first matter has been discussed, and we will discuss the second matter, many matters after the opening of Quanzhou Port."
After Lu Fang finished speaking, Gao Gong stood up first, bowed slightly to Jiajing, and said in a deep voice.
"Your Majesty, I think that now that Quanzhou Port is reopened, a capable official should be selected to take up the post!"
"Oh, Mr. Gao Ge looks like he has a plan in mind. I guess he already has a suitable candidate in mind, right?"
After hearing what Gao Gong said, Jiajing asked with a smile.
"Your Majesty has really sharp eyes and golden eyes. Yes, Wei Chen already has a suitable candidate in mind!"
Seeing that his thoughts were revealed by the emperor, Gao Gong's expression became more respectful and he said in a deep voice.
"Oh, who is it?"
Jiajing asked while stroking the carved dragon head on the dragon chair with his hand.
"I wonder if your Majesty still remembers the magistrate who once relied on more than a thousand old, weak, sick and disabled defenders in the city to successfully resist the attack of more than 5,000 Japanese pirates and successfully defend Quanzhou Prefecture."
After listening to Gao Gong's words, Jiajing began to recall the name of the magistrate in his mind.
After a long time, Jiajing slowly said, "You mean, Yang Zongtai?"
"Your Majesty is wise! This is the person I want to recommend."
Gao Gong looked quite excited when he saw Jiajing recalling this person's name, and then continued.
"Your Majesty, I have already investigated this before. When Yang Zongtai took office, his predecessor left him with a huge shortfall! At the worst point, even the officials' salaries could not be paid out."
"And this Yang Zongtai took less than a year to not only make up for all the deficits left by his predecessor, but even make a surplus! And the people of Quanzhou City, under his rule, are getting better day by day."
"In addition, this Yang Zongtai has won the hearts of the people in Quanzhou! If he can be transferred back, many of the imperial court's policies can be implemented smoothly."
After listening to Gao Gong's introduction, Jiajing was a little tempted. Then he turned his eyes to Yan Shifan and asked.
"Yan Shifan, do you know where Yang Zongtai was transferred later?"
Seeing the emperor asking him, Yan Shifan began to recall the name Yang Zongtai in his mind.
After a moment, Yan Shifan responded respectfully: "Your Majesty, this Yang Zongtai has made great contributions and went to Nanzhili on the recommendation of Qi Jiguang to serve as the Prime Minister of Taipu Temple!"
"Well, that's right, just follow what Mr. Gao Ge said! Keep his current rank and salary and let him return to work in Quanzhou. As for other matters, let's deal with them as before for the time being."
Jiajing was quite satisfied with the candidate recommended by Gao Gong and made his decision immediately.
"Your Majesty, Holy Might!"
When everyone saw this, they all knelt on the ground and said in a deep voice.
(End of chapter)
