As the elder of the woman's family, Li Zhi will also return to Fujian with Fang Wanghai.
Fang Wanghai is now the third-rank minister of the household department, a full-fledged official of the imperial court. Now that the entire Yuezhou Township Party in the household department has collapsed, and the remaining officials are trembling, Fang Wanghai has taken over the power of the Nanjing household department in one fell swoop.
On this basis, Fang Wanghai set up three more banknotes in Jiangnan, firmly controlling the water transportation tax revenue in Jiangnan.
When the customs and taxes came up, Fang Wanghai felt a little like the God of Wealth.
This time, Fang Wanghai asked for leave to go back to arrange for his daughter's wedding. All the senior officials from the six departments in Nanjing came to see her off outside the city, and the scene was unparalleled.
Taking a boat from Nanjing and heading south, the Nanjing Household Department supervised the southern water transportation and salt tax. Its authority was at the head of the six departments in Nanjing. Although the officials along the way knew that he was returning home on leave, they all greeted him respectfully.
Su Ze finally understood what the treatment of top officials meant. It was no wonder that scholars in the Ming Dynasty wanted to be officials so much.
In a strict hierarchical system, people at certain levels enjoy what kind of treatment.
When Fang Wanghai first came to Suzhou, he was able to stay at the inn and ship station, but at that time he was just a small new official, and no one wanted to see him.
Nowadays, he is the third-rank minister of the Nanjing Household Department and is in charge of the affairs of the Nanjing Household Department. When he stayed at the boat station along the way, officials came to visit him in an endless stream.
When they entered Zhejiang from South Zhili, more officials heard the news later. Fang Wanghai had no choice but to ask the housekeeper to only accept invitations and block some guests with low official positions.
Many officials even heard that Fang Wanghai had gone back to prepare for his daughter's wedding and secretly stuffed them with gifts, but Fang Wanghai turned them back.
Fang Wanghai was asking for leave when he returned home this time. As a serving official, he could take official ships or stop at the inn to rest.
The route this time was similar to the one Su Ze took to go north. He just had to follow the canal from Jiangnan to Quzhou, then cross the mountains and enter Fujian.
In fact, there were already ships docked at the Shanghai pier at this time, but the risks of maritime transportation were still very high these days, and there was often the danger of capsizing during navigation, so Fang Wanghai still insisted on taking water transportation and land transportation.
Shipping by sea is unsafe, which is also the view of most people in this era.
But it is true that even in the era before Su Ze traveled through time, in an era when satellite positioning and modern shipping technology were so advanced, shipwrecks still occurred.
Sailing on the sea in the age of sail was indeed a very risky thing.
Water transport ships can dock at the ship station. Seeing that there is no way to rush to the next ship station today, Fang Wanghai ordered the official ship to dock and rest.
I have to say that taking the official ship was much more comfortable than Su Ze's previous trip north. This large official ship sailed very smoothly, and there were rooms to rest on board.
Hot meals were delivered to the ship. Now that autumn was getting colder, Fang Wanghai was unwilling to eat in the unventilated cabin, so he ordered people to move the tables, chairs and benches to the deck, and ate in the cool autumn breeze.
Li Zhi and Su Ze naturally sat at the same table as company. Today's weather was excellent. Looking at the reeds blown by the cool breeze on the shore, Fang Wanghai couldn't help but feel inspired by poetry.
But after holding it in for a long time, I still couldn't write a poem.
Fang Wanghai looked at his wife's brother, Li Zhi thought for a while and said:
"Brother-in-law, please don't hold back on writing poetry."
Fang Wanghai was not convinced, but after holding it in for a long time, he still couldn't compose a poem.
He looked at Su Ze again. Su Ze looked at Lu Wei and said:
"Uncle Shi, I can't do it either."
Li Zhi laughed loudly and said: "Ru Lin once said that for a moment, there is a moment of knowledge, and the Tang poetry and Song dynasty poems are in front of you, so don't be embarrassed today!"
Fang Wanghai was still unconvinced and said: "According to your opinion, people will no longer use poetry today? Ridiculous!"
After holding it in for another long time, Fang Wanghai still couldn't write a sentence of poetry, so he had to give up and said:
"Forget it."
Since they are not doing anything, the three grown men are drinking and naturally want to start discussing politics.
It was Fang Wanghai who started the topic first:
"After Yang Bo, the Minister of the Nanjing Ministry of War, passed away, the imperial court appointed Hu Zongxian as the Minister of the Nanjing Ministry of War, and asked him to take charge of the affairs of the Nanjing Ministry of War. He was also appointed as the governor of Nanjing Zhili and Zhejiang, in charge of the anti-Japanese affairs of the two provinces."
Li Zhi said: "The imperial court finally figured it out? South Zhili and Zhejiang are integrated, and one person should be responsible for coordinating anti-Japanese affairs."
Let Hu Zongxian be in charge of Nanzhili and Zhejiang's anti-Japanese war. This is something that also happened in the timeline before Su Ze traveled through time. Historically, it was under the leadership of Hu Zongxian that the two major Japanese pirate groups, Wang Zhi and Xu Hai, were annihilated. Chaos was put down.
Fang Wanghai sighed and said: "This is not an easy job. Think about what happened to Zhang Jing and Hu Zongxian, who is in charge of the fight against the Japanese. If he doesn't win a victory this year, I'm afraid he will be impeached in the court."
Li Zhi also knew about the court affairs. He said nonchalantly: "I heard that Governor Hu is Yan Chieffu's student. With such a background, the Yan Party must protect him, right?"
Li Zhi naturally didn't have a good impression of Yan Song, and he didn't have much favorable impression of Hu Zongxian in his tone.
Everyone knows that Hu Zongxian's predecessor was impeached and died by Zhao Wenhua, a member of the Strict Party. Hu Zongxian was also a member of the Strict Party. He also followed Zhao Wenhua in writing a letter to impeach Zhang Jing. People at the time did not have much favorable impressions of Hu Zongxian.
Fang Wanghai took a sip of wine and said, "I met Hu Ruzhen once before when I took office. He still dares to do things, but he is too obsessed with contingency."
"But I heard that he still appointed Zhang Jing's old subordinate Yu Dayou in Zhejiang, and also promoted a fierce general named Qi Jiguang. The last time the Japanese pirates in Pinghu, Cixi, were put down by these two people."
"Maybe we need people like this to fight against Japan."
Fang Wanghai also knew that he had a weak personality and could not compare with a governor-general like Hu Zongxian who could stand alone.
Su Ze also nodded. In fact, the abilities of most leaders are difficult to reflect in daily work.
Only officials like Hu Zongxian who are in charge of one side can show their abilities.
At this moment, the old housekeeper suddenly came over and said to Fang Wanghai:
"Master, we have guests arriving."
Are there guests?
Fang Wanghai's level is placed here. Ordinary officials can leave after sending a greeting card. I'm afraid it's not an ordinary person who can pass the message to the old housekeeper.
Sure enough, after seeing the invitation, Fang Wanghai stood up and said, "Speak of Cao Cao, Cao Cao is here, Hu Zongxian is here."
Li Zhi and Su Ze looked at each other. They had just entered Zhejiang when Hu Zongxian came to visit them anxiously.
On the one hand, it is well-informed enough to see Hu Zongxian, and on the other hand, if a big official like Hu Zongxian visits overnight, I am afraid that what is to be discussed must be a major matter.
A man in his forties was wearing an ordinary Confucian shirt. He had a dignified appearance, but his brows were always tightly knitted.
Needless to say, this is the Hu Zongxian the three mentioned just now.
Standing behind him was an acquaintance of Su Ze's, it was Xu Wei who Su Ze had met when he was teaching at Quzhou Academy.
(The previous article is wrong, Hu Zongxian is nine years older than Xu Wei)
Fang Wanghai stepped forward to salute, and Hu Zongxian went to Fang Wanghai first, and the two exchanged pleasantries.
Fang Wanghai pointed to Li Zhi and Su Ze and introduced: "This is my brother-in-law, Dr. Li Zhi and Li Hongfu from the Imperial College of Nanjing. This is my disciple, Su Ze and Su Rulin."
Hu Zongxian also pointed to Xu Wei behind him and said: "Xu Wei, Xu Wenchang, is now my secret friend, helping Counselor Hu to fight against the Japanese."
Xu Wei's reputation was so great that Li Zhi also paid homage to him: "It turns out it was Mr. Xu Wenchang in person!"
Xu Wei also hurriedly returned the gift. Su Ze and he hadn't seen each other for half a year. Xu Wei lacked the madman demeanor of Quzhou Academy and was more like a man in the officialdom.
After some pulling and pulling, Hu Zongxian, who had the highest rank and was also the oldest, was invited to the upper seat by Fang Wanghai. There were officials Fang Wanghai and Li Zhi accompanying him, and Su Ze and Xu Wei sat at the bottom.
After the servants served wine and food and lit the lanterns on the official ship, Hu Zongxian said:
"When I heard that Minister Fang's ship had entered Zhejiang, I really wanted to go to Nanzhili to see Brother Fang for a long time. But I was busy with military affairs and couldn't get away, so I came to see him at this time. It's rude!"
After saying that, Hu Zongxian drank all his wine in one gulp, and Fang Wanghai quickly spoke politely.
"Governor Hu is busy with his affairs, so I should have gone to visit you. However, this return home is a private matter, and it is really inconvenient to go to Hangzhou to visit you."
In fact, the imperial court was very taboo about these ministers meeting in private. Fang Wanghai was the Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs who was also in charge of the affairs of the Nanjing Ministry of Household Affairs, and Hu Zongxian was the temporary Minister of the Ministry of War in Nanjing. They had already entered the ranks of important ministers of the Ming Dynasty.
Hu Zongxian came lightly without revealing his identity. If Yan Guan or Jin Yiwei knew about it, they could write a letter of impeachment.
Therefore, Fang Wanghai was also puzzled. Hu Zongxian took such a big risk to come to see him, probably not just to exchange a few words.
Sure enough, after the pleasantries, Hu Zongxian said:
"I came here this time to ask Mr. Fang to set up a banknote checkpoint in Zhejiang."
Fang Wanghai was stunned for a moment. It was his job to set up banknote checkpoints. Why did Hu Zongxian come to remind him?
Su Ze already had some vague guesses in his mind.
As expected, Xu Wei, who was accompanying me, said:
"Sir Fang, what Governor Hu wants is to leave the construction of Chao Pass to our Zhejiang governor's office, and the Chao Pass soldiers and Zhejiang soldiers will be responsible for it."
All those present were top smart people. Even Li Zhi had worked with Su Ze to organize the Anti-Japanese and Anti-Smuggling Group, and had a deep understanding of the operation of the banknote.
Li Zhi had the most straightforward character. He said directly: "Does Governor Hu want to withhold customs duties on banknotes?"
Hu Zongxian glanced at Li Zhi, and Xu Wei stood up and said: "The imperial court imposed tariffs on banknotes originally for the purpose of resisting the Japanese. It is not about interception. It just wants to use part of it first, and it will naturally be made up after the war."
Now Fang Wanghai understood why Hu Zongxian wanted to visit him on the ship.
The banknote customs duties were Fang Wanghai's authority. Among his positions were the Nanzhili and Zhejiang banknote customs envoys, and he was now in charge of the Nanjing Household Department. Hu Zongxian was eyeing the banknote customs duties, so he had to get through Fang Wanghai's relationship.
Hu Zongxian looked at Fang Wanghai. He took the risk to meet Fang Wanghai just to pay for the customs duties.
After presiding over the anti-Japanese war, Hu Zongxian realized what kind of mess Zhang Jing had on his hands.
One of Zhang Jing's major measures to fight against the Japanese was to dispatch wolf soldiers to Zhejiang and dispatch foreign troops to fight against the Japanese.
One of the important reasons why Zhang Jing was killed was that he allowed foreign soldiers to cause chaos in Zhejiang.
But when these wolf soldiers were in Guangxi, they followed Zhang Jing and put down many rebellions. They were very high in combat effectiveness and loyalty to the Ming Dynasty. Why did they become a disaster when they arrived in Zhejiang?
The reason is simple: insufficient military pay.
Zhang Jing was the governor of Zhejiang, but Zhejiang's anti-Japanese funds were always insufficient. These guest soldiers left their hometowns to fight, and they could not even guarantee normal military pay, let alone rewards.
The final result was that military discipline became increasingly disorganized, and the junior captains in the army could only allow their subordinates to commit robberies.
After Hu Zongxian took over, he learned Zhang Jing's lesson and gradually repatriated the guest soldiers, allowing Yu Dayou and Qi Jiguang to recruit Zhejiang troops to fight against the Japanese.
However, recruiting local soldiers does not mean that military discipline will be good. Yu Dayou and Qi Jiguang also wrote many times to request sufficient funds.
Recruiting soldiers also required retraining, which cost more money than before. Hu Zongxian, the governor of Southern Zhejiang, was mainly responsible for raising money while in office.
At Xu Wei's suggestion, Hu Zongxian set his sights on banknote tariffs.
However, if Zhejiang wants to collect banknote duties, it cannot go around Fang Wanghai, so this hurried visit came.
Fang Wanghai was naturally unhappy.
Although the imperial court said that banknote tariffs were used to fight against Japanese invaders, finances had to follow procedures.
The Household Department in Nanzhili had to report the tax on the banknotes, and the Household Department in the capital could not decide on the ownership of the money until it was distributed.
If it were intercepted directly and privately, it could be said to be a serious crime of treason.
In fact, Fang Wanghai also knew that the so-called use to fight the Japanese was just the imperial court's talk. All the banknote duties and taxes he had collected so far had been escorted to the capital.
The customs duties on banknotes were originally imported from the Taikoo to prepare the border. In the north, it also cost money to travel to the border. The emperor also spent money from the Taikoo to buy ambergris. Emperor Jiajing was very careful about his own money.
In a word, this is all the emperor's money!
Compared with Ada, who could often attack the capital city, the Japanese pirates who caused trouble in the south of the Yangtze River actually had a lower priority in the hearts of the emperor and courtiers than the capital city defense.
After all, since Tumubao, the emperor never wanted to be a foreign student again.
Fang Wanghai was a cautious person. He didn't speak, and Hu Zongxian also knew that things were difficult to handle.
But he still refused to give up and said: "Master Fang, this is a major matter concerning the two provinces' fight against Japanese aggression!"
At this time, Su Ze said: "Governor Hu, this junior has an idea."
(End of chapter)
