Those who are qualified to enter the Xiaochaohui are all officials of third rank or above, and they are not too young. Xiao Feng is a special case.
Therefore, none of the ministers are young, they are all veterans who have been on the battlefield for a long time. They all blinked, a little confused, and a little inexplicably excited.
I don't know how Xiao Feng did it. He talked about an extremely serious court event in a serious manner, and actually made everyone excited.
Jiajing could not help but have some associations, but he was much better than the officials. The officials could only hide their excitement by bending down. He had a book in front of him, so he could be excited openly.
Xiao Feng didn't notice it and just continued to explain his point of view very calmly. The ministers were amazed: Although he is young, his determination is very strong, and he is indeed a person with unique taste.
"Brother, gentlemen, Hai Rui's shortcoming is that he is stubborn and does not know how to adapt. But his advantage is that he is indomitable and has an iron heart.
In a place like Miaojiang, it is difficult for capable officials like Hu Zongxian to make achievements. It seems too harsh to ask Hai Rui to make achievements in just these days.
What's more, Hai Rui has two jobs, two jobs, two prongs, and advancement at the same time. Anyone who has experienced this kind of thing knows how difficult it must be! "
The ministers blinked, this... How difficult can it be to do both? Just ask Yan Shifan.
Yan Song couldn't listen anymore and coughed heavily: "Mr. Xiao, even if what you said makes sense, it is always a fact that Hai Rui's mission cannot be carried out, right?
Since you are wholeheartedly protecting him, why not help him come up with an idea and get the job done well? It can be regarded as a good start and a good end, and you have lived up to the trust of the court. "
Yan Song's move seemed to be a concession, but it was actually very vicious. Hai Rui failed to handle the mission well, not because he was incompetent, but because it was too difficult to handle.
If he had a good idea, there were ministers in the court who were interested in Xiao Feng and would have warned him long ago, but there was really no good way.
Now Yan Song wants Xiao Feng to come up with a solution in a hurry, obviously to make Xiao Feng look embarrassed. Then they tied him and Hai Rui together and gave him the comment of being an incompetent person with ulterior motives!
But the ministers can't say that Yan Song is wrong. The person you recommended is not doing well now. As the recommender, you can't come up with an idea. Who can you wait for?
Seeing that his son-in-law was in trouble, Liu Tong became anxious and stepped forward bravely. Under the surprised eyes of everyone, he stammered and spoke.
"Long live this, this, this, this, this, this, this, the people, food is their first priority, this, this, the people in the warehouse know the etiquette, this, the Miao people don't want to study, this, this, could it be because they don't have enough to eat..."
All the ministers who had a good relationship with Xiao Feng lowered their heads and suppressed their laughter. They must not laugh at this time. He was his father-in-law. A smile would easily end his friendship!
However, Yan Party officials did not have so many taboos and showed their joy unscrupulously. Even Yan Song could not help but shake his head and smile.
Everyone is a pig teammate, and you have a pig father-in-law. You are a foodie who only knows that food is the most important thing for the people!
Jiajing also looked at Liu Tong helplessly. After thinking about it, he still had to save face, so he said perfunctorily.
"Shilang Liu has a broad mind, so it's not like he can't consider a thing or two..."
Xiao Feng turned around and saluted Liu Tong very solemnly: "Master Liu's words are to the point. They are the key to solving the problem!"
Um? Everyone was stunned. Why, you are said to be fat and you still have asthma? This is Banzai trying to save face for you, and you still climbed up?
Under everyone's puzzled gazes, Xiao Feng let out a sigh of relief.
"Long live the Miao territory, which has hundreds of thousands of mountains, very little arable land, and the people are poor. Although there are special products for sale, most of the trade channels are in the hands of chieftains from various places.
Naturally, it is difficult for ordinary people to share the profits gained. Therefore, it is still difficult for ordinary people to survive. Who is willing to let their children go to school without working?
Furthermore, in Miao territory, only mature Miao people outside the separation wall have the opportunity to take the entrance examination in nearby state capitals, while those inside the separation wall are not even eligible to apply.
It affects immediate survival and has no future. What kind of parents would allow their children to go to school? "
If Jiajing realized something, he looked at Liu Tong again, with a hint of appreciation in his eyes.
"Junior brother, if you have any opinions, you might as well tell us and let's discuss it!"
Xiao Feng solemnly said: "Now that Mr. Liu has told the key to the problem, we can just prescribe the right medicine. The imperial court can give Hai Rui the order.
All childbearing schoolchildren under the age of twelve who are willing to study in schools will receive a monthly subsidy of one coin!
There will be an assessment once a month, and those who are judged to be excellent in both arts and sciences will receive an additional bonus! "
As soon as this statement came out, the whole hall was in an uproar and the ministers were talking about it. It costs money to go to school. It's unheard of for the court to pay for it if it doesn't cost money!
It feels like, after a night of passion, when you are about to pay for your money, the woman throws a silver coin over to you and then walks away...
Is there such a good thing in the world?
Yan Song was the first to object fiercely: "Long live, this method is definitely not feasible! Scholars in the world can only qualify for a small amount of money and food subsidies if they pass the junior college entrance examination."
And it was just symbolic, representing the emperor's favor and glory. Is there any reason for the imperial court to give money and food to school children? How embarrassing is this for scholars all over the world? "
Xiao Feng said with a smile: "Why do scholars in the world oppose this matter? The imperial court provides money and food to support school children in impoverished mountainous areas to study. Does this mean that the imperial court values scholars?
Scholars all over the world should be honored. Isn’t Mr. Yan a scholar by birth? Don’t you want the court to cultivate more scholars? "
Yan Song had long been accustomed to Xiao Feng's way of reasoning, so he simply omitted the process of being stunned for a while. He just felt stunned in his heart and could not see it on the surface.
"You are so clever! What if scholars everywhere ask the state to subsidize money and food?"
Xiao Feng nodded: "It's simple. The state subsidizes it on a local basis. If scholars from all over the country are willing to go to schools in Miaojiang, they can also receive subsidies!
Mr. Yan, this is a great idea! There are many people in the world who want to study but cannot afford it. As long as they are willing to study in Miao schools, the imperial court will pay for it.
In this way, a large number of Han people will naturally live together in the Miao territory, and the Miao territory will naturally no longer become a Miao territory. This is a wonderful plan!
Not only in Miao territory, but also in Tibetan areas, Mongolian areas, and Jurchen lands outside the Pass, this method can be used to promote schools and spread the culture of the Central Plains! "
Yan Song was really stunned this time: "I, sir, when did I... come up with such an idea? This is clearly what you said!"
"Master Yan, there is no need to be modest. It was you who inspired me and I was able to come up with such a good idea. Master Yan should be the first to take the credit!"
Yan Song became angry and stopped talking to Xiao Feng. He turned directly to Jiajing, hoping that Jiajing could understand the seriousness of this topic.
"Long live this, it is absolutely impossible to do this! There are millions of people in the Miao territory, and if one in ten of them are scholars, that is hundreds of thousands of people.
One denarius per person per month, one tael per year, or hundreds of thousands of taels per year. Where does this money come from? "
When it came to money, Jiajing couldn't help but feel a little distressed. He looked at Xiao Feng and said, "Why don't we think about it again?"
Xiao Feng said categorically: "One in ten? Master Yan must have thought too well! In today's world, it is good to have one in ten scholars!"
In the land of Miao, there are not many school children under the age of twelve. Most of the so-called millions live in the deep mountains and dense forests. It would take Hai Rui years and years to expand!
Calculated in one year, it is only tens of thousands of taels of silver, and if it reaches one hundred thousand taels, it will be as high as the sky. Think about it, should these tens of thousands of taels of silver be spent on educating the Miao people, or on fighting with the Miao people?
If a war breaks out, a year's military expenditure will not be enough unless it is hundreds of thousands taels! "
Jiajing was moved: "One hundred thousand taels of silver is not a lot, so you can consider it. I just listen to your wishes. In the future, we will build schools in Tibetan areas, Mongolian areas, and Jurchen lands outside the Pass."
If everyone uses this method, I'm afraid the imperial government's finances will eventually become unsustainable. "
Xiao Feng smiled and said: "Long live, it is human nature to study and understand things. What's more, after the people in these places study, the imperial court can build a local academy and let them study in the local academy.
After these places have scholars and scholars, the imperial court can open Enke again and let students from these places come to Beijing to take the exam. Those who pass the Jinshi examination can be arranged to return to their local area to serve as officials.
The local scholars have seen the benefits of studying, and even if the court no longer gives them money, they will continue to study voluntarily. "
These words were so logical and insightful that even Yan Song could not think of a better objection, and Jiajing nodded repeatedly.
"Very good, very good, just do it your way! The cabinet drafted the decree and sent it to the Miao territory, and Hai Rui implemented it!
Liu Tong, the left minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs, is diligent and considerate of the people's sentiments, honest and sincere, and as wise as a fool. It can be seen that I know people well and my promotion is not in vain.
However, it has been exceeded for many years, which is too fast and it is not suitable to advance further. The Ministry of Rites drafted a decree to confer a third-grade imperial edict on his wife to show his favor. "
Liu Tong was so excited that he couldn't help but thanked him repeatedly. After the court, he was still blushing and extremely excited.
Pan Huang joked: "I have earned fame for my wife today. I think I will be late for duty tomorrow, so I have to ask for leave in advance."
Liu Tong nodded repeatedly: "Your Excellency, you are right. Last time my daughter was awarded the second-grade imperial title, my wife lectured me all night, and I was indeed late in the morning.
Today's matter is very big, I think it will take longer to explain the truth. I need to ask the steward to remind me tomorrow, so as not to miss the appointment. "
It was still Xiao Chunzi who came to read out the imperial edict. The housekeeper once again led people to break the door to both sides desperately, almost breaking the door pillars, for fear that people on the street would not see it.
Mrs. Liu behaved very calmly and appropriately when receiving the order, which greatly impressed the people watching on the street.
"How else could I be the wife of Gaoming? Look at my master, he was promoted to six levels in two years, and he suddenly changed from a foreign minister to a left servant! Mr. Wang!"
"What is this? Look at my daughter. My son-in-law rose from a scholar to the young minister of Dali Temple and the governor of Jiangnan in two years!
He is still Master Wenxuan, Master of Worldly Contemplation, and Great Tomorrow Master. How many levels has he been promoted to? Speaking of prosperous husbands, her daughter is even more prosperous than her! "
"I don't know if his family has any daughters. My son just passed the exam this year. Maybe he can try to propose marriage..."
"Stop dreaming, there is only one daughter in his family, and the rest is a young master!"
"Young Master? Then I have a daughter. People say she is very beautiful, so I just thought that I would not marry a non-official son!"
"Bring it on, your daughter is already twenty-one and she is still picking here and there. My young master is only seven years old, is your daughter going to become a mother?"
"You know what a fool, a fourteenth-year-old girl, this, this, that's right! Maybe he has the same taste as his brother-in-law. They say Mr. Xiao likes big ones!"
"Don't count on this. It's better to count on Mr. Liu to have an illegitimate daughter or something. Look at Mr. Liu's face flushed, and you can see that he is a very energetic person.
He didn't take any concubines, so he might have an illegitimate daughter or something like that. This illegitimate daughter is also a daughter. Although she is not as prosperous as the legitimate daughter, there is still no problem in letting your son become a county magistrate! "
The mother-in-law's conferment was a great joy, and Xiao Feng naturally wanted to bring his whole family over to congratulate him.
Liu Tong's house and Xiao Feng's house were across from each other, and directly opposite was the princess's house. The princess was very affectionate and wanted to congratulate the neighbors opposite, so the scene was quite big.
After everyone had finished their congratulations, had enough wine and food, and left one after another, Liu Tong went into the study, found the mysterious medicinal wine that the housekeeper had hidden for him, poured a large glass, and drank it all in one gulp.
Then he ran back to the bedroom excitedly and saw his wife, wearing a full set of phoenix crowns and harems, twisting and taking pictures in front of the bronze mirror, smiling from ear to ear.
Liu Tong yawned exaggeratedly: "Madam, it's getting late, we should have a rest!"
Mrs. Liu nodded repeatedly and continued to laugh happily. Liu Tong looked at his wife's official uniform, felt the temptation of the uniform, and stretched out her hand tremblingly.
"Don't touch it, your hands are oily! Are you chewing bones again? I want to sleep in official uniform tonight and have a good dream! Well, you can go to the study and sleep today!"
Liu Tong was disappointed. Thinking of the bubbles in the corner of his mouth last time, he drank a lot this time and might have a mouth full of bubbles!
He slapped the table: "That's unreasonable! If this continues, I'm really going to take a concubine!"
Mrs. Liu smiled sweetly: "I'm just teasing you, Master. Try it. Can you take off my official uniform without using your hands? If you can..."
A few days later, Hai Rui's mouth opened wider than Liu Tong's that night, holding the imperial edict in his hand in disbelief.
"Eunuch, this is...why would Long Live send such a favor from heaven?"
"It's Mr. Liu Tong, the left minister of the Ministry of Revenue, and Mr. Xiao, the governor of Jiangnan, who jointly made a statement, saying that Mr. Hai, you are having a hard time doing things, and the court must find a way to support you."
Hai Rui composed himself: "I have seen Mr. Xiao serve in high officials before. He is indeed a good official who is dedicated to serving the people. I never expected that Mr. Liu Tong would also have such true knowledge and insights!"
"That is, he is Mr. Xiao's father-in-law. Can the person who can be Mr. Xiao's father-in-law be an ordinary person?"
Hai Rui was in awe: "It is true that the whole family is loyal and loyal. Hai Rui will definitely live up to the two adults' willingness to help and live up to the grace of Heaven!"
After seeing off the imperial envoy who was delivering the order, Hai Rui immediately assigned work contents to the academic officers. The academic officials also regained their motivation because of the support of the imperial court, and they were all gearing up.
The academic officer who wrote the memorial was very uneasy because his memorial was also issued with the imperial edict! He was afraid that Hai Rui would wear small shoes for him and send him to the most difficult position.
Unexpectedly, Hai Rui arranged a place with the best environment for him and said it was a reward for him.
The academic officer was a little confused: "Sir, if you want to beat me, do it now. If you do this, I don't know what to do!"
Hai Rui was puzzled: "Why should I hit you? You reported the problem to the court truthfully, and the court took it seriously and gave us such great support!"
You are a meritorious official among our group, and you should be rewarded for your merits and punished for your mistakes. I have nothing to reward you here, I can only give you a better environment! "
The academic officer's eyes filled with tears: "But, but in the memorial, the lower official called you the 'King of Hell' in the sea, and said you were incompetent..."
Hai Rui was even more puzzled: "You didn't invent 'Haiyanwang', that's what everyone called me when I was in Fujian!
As for the inability to do things well, you are telling the truth. I did not make much progress before, but with the imperial decree, things will be better in the future! "
The academic officer wiped away his tears and left, actively running around to publicize the imperial decree. The entire Miao territory centered on this point, the news spread rapidly, and soon everyone was in a panic!
One penny a month can not only support this child who is studying, but if he is not well fed, he can also leave a lot for the family!
This is much more cost-effective than going up the mountain to cut firewood and herd pigs! For a time, long queues formed at the entrance of schools everywhere, all asking to let their children enter the school.
Hai Rui asked the academic officers to strictly control the admissions standards, clarify the admission standards, and be meticulous, and no back door was allowed.
"Sir, my child is really twelve years old!"
"I can tolerate wrinkles at the age of twelve, but I can't justify such a long beard!"
"Sir, my family is a relative of the local toast. I have a post about the local toast here. It's convenient!"
"It's not that I can't make it easier, it's the academic master who said that the chieftain's relatives should be investigated more closely!
We are all obviously rich, so why are we still pretending to be poor students and robbing others of their little money to study and survive? Don't you feel guilty? "
"Sir, this one of mine has no beard! There are no wrinkles on his face!"
"Even so, I just saw the child next to me calling her grandma!"
"So what about grandma? Can't I be a grandma at the age of twelve?"
"It's not that this is the problem, it's that the rules for students in Ming Dynasty's official schools are that there cannot be female students."
"But your imperial edict only mentions schoolchildren, not male schoolchildren. Do you dare to correct the edict?"
"I...go, do you still know how to correct the decree?"
"That's right, don't think that I, an old man, have lived in a ravine all my life. I worked as a day laborer on the other side of the wall, and I have seen the world!"
"..."
All these disputes that could not be resolved would eventually come to Hai Rui. Hai Rui was so busy that he would not eat or sleep, traveling around to resolve these disputes.
This also led to Xiao Qin leading people to chase Hai Rui everywhere, but they always failed. Like whack-a-mole, by the time the hammer arrives, the mole is already in another hole.
Moreover, it is difficult to predict in advance, because Hai Rui's whereabouts are unpredictable. He will go wherever there is trouble, and trouble itself is unpredictable.
After more than ten days of arduous tracking, Xiao Qin finally blocked Hai Rui, who was mediating an issue regarding the expulsion of school children.
The parents of the schoolchildren were angry: "Mr. Hai, tell me, why can't my child get money... no... can't go to school?"
Hai Rui pointed at the academic officer with a bruised nose and face: "Your child beat the academic officer, and I have already given him a lighter sentence! If he were outside the Miao territory, I would have to send him to the official to hold him accountable!"
