Yan Shifan is admiring his two wooden legs. There are no snakes on the legs yet, so they can only be used as decorations. He has to rely on a cart to really walk.
The guard came forward and handed Yan Shifan a letter. The envelope looked like it had gone through many hardships at first glance. It had the fishy smell of sea water, the greasiness of a butcher's shop, and the scent of powder.
It seems that there are no pigeons on the island and seagulls are not capable of delivering letters. Luo Wenlong went through many twists and turns before delivering the letter to the communication point arranged by Yan Shifan along the coast.
Yan Shifan opened the letter, glanced at it casually, and suddenly sat up straight with his legs straight.
Next, the more he watched, the happier he became, the more proud he became, and he couldn't help laughing. Gradually she walked out of the room and leaned against him.
"What are you so happy about?"
Yan Shifan laughed and said: "This Hu Zongxian, I have long regarded him as an outstanding person, and I wanted to take him under my command. He has always been aloof, which I was surprised at the time.
Only now do I understand that this person has great ambitions. He doesn't want to be a backbone of any party at all, but wants to stand on his own and be a powerful minister himself! "
Gradually, he gave Yan Shifan a strange look: "He wants to be a powerful minister, just to kick you out of your position in the Yan family. Why are you so happy?"
Yan Shifan pinched Su Qian's ass: "Beauty, you don't understand the affairs of the court. Now the weather is booming, and the Yan family is in a state of dormancy.
But my father is old and I am not around. It is hard to say how long he can sustain it. So I can't stay dormant for too long.
Originally I was still worrying about how to design Xiao Feng. Hu Zongxian has this ambition, can I help him? Besides, this is my best chance to return to court! "
The next day, Yan Song received a letter from Yan Shifan. The letter states that if Xiao Feng wants to give up the position of governor of Jiangnan to Hu Zongxian, he must do his best to facilitate it!
He also told Yan Song that he would ask Yan Party officials in the Jiangnan area to launch the "return plan" and use Hu Zongxian's ambition and power to pave the way for his return to the court!
After Yan Song read the letter, he quietly contacted Yan Party officials in Beijing and decided to cooperate with Yan Shifan.
Although Yan Shifan did not elaborate on the details of the "return plan", Yan Song has always been very confident in his son's IQ and just acted according to the plan.
It’s time for the Umrah meeting again. Jiajing has held more Umrah meetings in the past two years than in the past ten years, and the threshold of the monastery has almost been stepped down.
On the one hand, this is because Jiajing was much more diligent than before in order to cultivate Taoism and enhance national destiny.
On the other hand, everything used to be left to Yan Song and his son, but now he has to rebalance the power in the court and has to work hard.
As soon as the ministers stood still, Xiao Feng stood up and said: "Long live, since I have already joined the cabinet, and I am also the governor of Jiangnan, it will be too much power.
And I can't stay in Jiangnan all year round. Being the governor of Jiangnan would be a shame. Therefore, please remove me from the post of governor of Jiangnan. "
Jiajing was stunned for a moment, and then thought that Xiao Feng's reason was very legitimate. It was indeed a bit too much for a cabinet minister to concurrently serve as the governor of Jiangnan.
"But converting rice into mulberry, eradicating Japanese pirates, and building shipyards all require the governor of Jiangnan. If you don't do it, who can do it?"
Xiao Feng thought for a moment: "Long live, the new Minister of War, Hu Zongxian, has lived in Jiangnan for a long time and has extraordinary talents. I suggest that the court appoint him to take over the post of governor of Jiangnan."
Jiajing sighed and said to himself, Junior Brother, you are making things difficult for me. I don't care, but Yan Song definitely won't do it.
Then Hu Zongxian is your man. You drove Yan Shifan away and joined the cabinet yourself. You also want to leave Hu Zongxian such a high official as the Governor of Jiangnan. Do you think Yan Song is a fool?
Yan Song can have a hundred reasons to refute you. Even if I want to blow the whistle, I can't go as far as this! After all, Yan Song is one of his own.
So Jiajing looked at Yan Song without hope: "What do Yan Aiqing think?"
Yan Song thought deeply for a moment, making it appear that he had weighed it carefully, otherwise it would have seemed a bit fake, and then he stepped forward and handed over.
"I think what Mr. Xiao said is very good."
Jiajing nodded: "What you said makes sense. I also think...what? What did you say?"
Yan Song hurriedly said: "Old minister, I think what Mr. Xiao said is reasonable. Hu Zongxian has extraordinary talents. During the period when he temporarily acted for Mr. Xiao, the situation in Jiangnan was stable and prosperous.
Although the promotion seems to be faster, the cabinet has no objection to the selection of talents and special promotions. "
Jiajing almost dodged his old waist and looked at his old friend in confusion.
what happened? Is this still my old friend Yan Song? Could it be that he was possessed by a poison?
Not only Jiajing, but also Ding Rukui, Pan Huang and others also looked at each other, not knowing why.
Yan Song, what happened? He has a hundred reasons to object to this matter, but not a single reason in favor!
Originally, Ding Rukui was still working hard and was ready to say a few words for Xiao Feng when Yan Song retorted, but now he was also ignored. The step he took out turned into a stagger, and he quickly took it back.
Everyone in the Yan Party was very calm, because Yan Song had already had a bad relationship with them, and they only followed Yan Song's lead in everything.
Yan Song, on the other hand, had an awe-inspiring look on his face, with the words "selfless" and "do not avoid hatred when doing things externally" almost engraved on his forehead.
How about it? I'll be honest and upright!
Jiajing nodded with great satisfaction: "Since Yan Shoufu agrees, do you have any opinions?"
No one had any objections and the matter passed happily. Hu Zongxian went from being the censor of the imperial censor, to the Minister of War, to the governor of Jiangnan. Within a few months, he completed three major jumps, and directly became an important minister of the imperial court!
Xiao Feng continued: "There is another matter. The battle between Wang Zhi and Xu Hai at sea was extremely fierce. Although Wang Zhi had the upper hand, it was difficult to win a complete victory.
It will take time for the Ming Dynasty Navy to rebuild. In order to preserve its maritime power, I asked Wang Zhi to surrender to Xu Hai many times, but Xu Hai was very stubborn and insisted on resisting.
This matter is a long night and has many dreams. If Franco and Japanese pirates join Xu Hai's side to fight together, it will be even more difficult for Wang Zhi to win.
Now that Hu Zongxian has taken over the post of Governor of Jiangnan, I suggest that the cabinet issue an order to order Hu Zongxian to wipe out Xu Hai as soon as possible at all costs! "
Yan Song coughed, and immediately a Yan Party official came forward: "Long live, what Mr. Xiao said is absolutely unacceptable!"
This strict party official had been prepared for a long time. At this time, he was full of firepower and talking eloquently.
"Long live, Mr. Xiao just said that the Ming Dynasty Navy will still take some time, and the maritime power needs to be preserved. If Wang Zhi and Xu Hai fight, both sides will lose.
When the Franco and Japanese pirates join forces, I'm afraid there will be no Ming ships on the sea. Therefore, it is better to recruit and surrender! "
Xiao Feng was furious: "As I said just now, I asked Wang Zhi to surrender several times, but Xu Hai didn't agree. Are you deaf?"
Yan Song said coldly: "Master Xiao, you have surrendered Wang Zhi, so you think you are the best in the world at recruiting surrender?
Just because you can't recruit Xu Hai to surrender doesn't mean that others can't surrender either! "
Xiao Fengqi smiled: "Oh? Listen to Master Yan, do you have a suitable candidate? I would like to see who is so capable?"
Yan Song said seriously: "Since everyone admits that Hu Zongxian is talented, why not let Hu Zongxian give it a try?"
Xiao Feng was stunned and speechless. The official of the strict party secretly felt happy: Xiao Feng, Xiao Feng, you also have today!
You have always been the one who kept talking, and we have always been speechless. Today you also have a taste of what it feels like to be assisted by Yan Shou and use his spear to attack his shield!
Xiao Feng took a breath and then slowly said: "I brought Hu Zongxian out single-handedly. Why can he do what I can't do?"
Yan Song smiled and said: "Master Xiao, talented people have emerged from generation to generation, and each has been leading the way for hundreds of years.
Not to mention that Hu Zongxian has only worked with you, even Xiaoquan Donglou, I have some shortcomings. How can we generalize? "
This metaphor is actually a bit nondescript. The relationship between Xiao Feng and Hu Zongxian is incomparable to the relationship between Yan Song and Yan Shifan, but the officials all take it for granted!
Having said that, Xiao Feng can't rely on his old age and let the waves behind him move forward. He could only snort angrily and stop talking.
Jiajing also felt that Yan Song's words were reasonable. Although my junior brother is very powerful, after all, it is impossible to be perfect in everything. Rather than letting both Wang Zhi and Xu Hai suffer, what's the harm in letting Hu Zongxian try?
Even if you don’t succeed, it’s not too late to fight again then! So Jiajing smiled and smoothed things over, letting his junior brother step down.
"Junior brother, what Yan Aiqing said makes sense. You have done too many things for the court. Even if you are a god, you will inevitably be distracted if you have to take care of so many things at the same time.
At this time, Hu Zongxian is concentrating and has talents. You might as well let him try. It will be gratifying if he succeeds. If he fails, it will not be too late to destroy him. "
Xiao Feng nodded and walked down the steps given by his senior brother, but he was still a little unhappy.
“Senior brother, although the construction of the shipyard is in Jiangnan, it involves a wide range of things, especially the Ministry of Industry, which is the key.
Nowadays, both the Minister of Industry and the Zuo Shilang of the Ministry of Industry are vacant. In order not to delay important events, I would like to temporarily take over the affairs of the Ministry of Industry and ask for your permission, senior brother. "
This was asking Jiajing for an official position. If it were anyone else, Jiajing might have some taboos, but for Xiao Feng, Jiajing took it for granted.
Xiao Feng didn't even care about the governor of Jiangnan, but would he care about a minister of the Ministry of Industry? The Ministry of Industry is almost the least sensitive among the six ministries.
The Ministry of Personnel is in charge of the world's officials, the Ministry of War is in charge of the world's soldiers and horses, the Ministry of Husbandry is in charge of the world's money and food, the Ministry of Punishment is in charge of the world's prisons, and the Ministry of Rites is in charge of the world's scholars.
(In fact, the Ministry of Rites is also in charge of the brothels all over the world, but it is in charge indirectly through the Jiaofang Division. Did you see that this arrangement shows that the ancients believed that scholars and brothels are inseparable, and they are all the same boss!)
What about the Ministry of Industry? The contractor in charge of the world? In charge of the world's craftsmen? To be in charge of all the weird and cunning things in the world? In addition to making money, the Ministry of Industry is the younger brother among the six departments!
It is very common for Xiao Feng to be a cabinet minister and also a minister. And since Xiao Feng is so rich, he is not afraid of corruption. Being the Minister of the Ministry of Industry is almost the most suitable candidate!
"That's right, Xiao Feng will also serve as Minister of the Ministry of Industry. For the position of Zuo Shilang, Xiao Feng can discuss with the Ministry of Civil Affairs to recommend candidates."
Xiao Feng nodded: "Long live, for the position of left minister, I suggest that right minister Gong Hui be promoted to the position.
Gong Hui is a steady person, and Zhao Wenhua has focused on making money in the past few years. In fact, Gong Hui is in charge of the real projects. The position of right servant can be considered again. "
Jiajing nodded in approval. Gong Hui is sixty-three years old. He was the right servant when Zhao Wenhua was the left servant.
After Zhao Wenhua became minister, he did not plan to promote him, but planned to leave the position of Zuo Shilang to people from the Yan Party. However, before Zhao Wenhua could even sit down in Shangshu's seat, he was stabbed in the back by Tan Xinren.
Gong Hui originally thought that he had no chance to make progress. Unexpectedly, Xiao Feng's life path would reach a new height with just one word from Xiao Feng. He was filled with emotion beyond words.
After going to court, Xiao Feng went to the Ministry of Personnel to receive his official credentials as Minister of the Ministry of Industry, and asked Gong Hui to organize a meeting for all officials of the Ministry of Industry and above to go to the lobby.
The officials of the Ministry of Industry couldn't help but sigh secretly when they heard that Xiao Feng had become the minister of the Ministry of Industry. Zhao Wenhua worked hard all his life to reach the height, and Xiao Feng climbed up as soon as he raised his foot. Where did he really start?
After the officials saluted one by one according to their positions, Xiao Feng picked up the speaker on the table and cleared his throat.
That's right, since Ding Rukui first used the trumpet in the Ministry of War, various ministries have followed suit, and it has become a must-have artifact for meetings.
"Dear brothers, I am the Minister of the Ministry of Industry and I have no other intentions. You don't need to make any suspicions. I just want to improve the status of the Ministry of Industry!
I believe that when you are on duty at the Ministry of Industry, you may feel that you are three points shorter than officials at the same level in other ministries. "
Everyone smiled awkwardly, and one doctor said angrily: "Your Excellency is right, people in other departments look at us as worse than the gang of accountants in the Ministry of Accounts!
It’s just like the other departments, the guys from the Household Department, who smell like copper, actually dare to laugh at us because we are so clever and only know how to deal with mud, water and rocks! "
Xiao Feng sighed: "You can't blame others for this. Think about what our Ministry of Industry has been doing all these years? The minister has been vacant for a long time, and Zhao Wenhua is covering the sky with one hand.
How long has it been since the Shenji Camp’s firearms were improved? How long has it been since the Ministry of War's swords, guns, crossbows and bows were upgraded? All the thoughts are put on building a house!
What is an important weapon of the country has been turned into a large contractor team by Zhao Wenhua who can only build houses and engage in real estate! "
A member of the Communist Party of China muttered in a low voice: "It's because the money for building a house is so fast, and doing other things is so laborious and thankless!"
Xiao Feng slapped the table, which startled the Yuanwai Lang. He was hesitating whether to kneel down to apologize when Xiao Feng pointed at him.
"You're right! Building a house does bring money quickly! But will building a house make the Ming Dynasty stronger? Even if the house can be built into the Great Wall, can it stop the iron hoofs of the nomads?"
Another Yuanwai Lang asked cautiously: "In your opinion, from now on we will no longer care about building houses?"
Xiao Feng shook his head: "Houses still have to be built, but not just to make money, but for the livelihood of the people and the stability of the court.
Du Fu once said, "With tens of thousands of mansions, the poor people all over the world will be happy!" 'This is the point of building a house, not just to make a lot of money. "
A minister was confused and said: "We have all heard that your Excellency is going to reform the imperial examination and add technical departments. After passing the technical examination, do you have to join the Ministry of Industry as an official?"
Xiao Feng looked at everyone's eyes and knew that everyone was worried.
If all the people who passed the technical examinations were to become officials in the Ministry of Industry, there would be too many monks and too few people, and the official positions of everyone here would be threatened.
Xiao Feng smiled: "Those who pass the technical examination will naturally come to the Ministry of Industry. But you don't have to worry about too many monks and too little porridge, because if there are more monks, there will be more porridge!"
Everyone was stunned, and Gong Hui hesitated and said: "Sir, the official positions of the six ministries are always customized. If we want to increase the number of official positions, I'm afraid the other five ministries will complain."
Xiao Feng smiled slightly: "I will not increase my official position. The official position will remain fixed. There is nothing to say about other departments."
Everyone is confused. They don't increase their official positions, and they say that there are too many monks and too many rice porridge. What does this mean? The pot is so big, how come there is so much porridge?
Xiao Feng took a deep breath: "Of course you study and become officials for the sake of honoring your ancestors, but if you are destitute, it seems that there is no taste in being an official."
The officials bowed their heads silently, who could say otherwise? Salaries in the Ming Dynasty were too low. Officials had to live a hard life if they wanted to be upright officials. If you don’t want to live a hard life, you have to be a little greedy.
To put it bluntly, who doesn’t want a good reputation after studying to become an official?
Not to mention hopeless corruption enthusiasts like Zhao Wenhua, people like your father-in-law Liu Tong are actually a little bit greedy just to let their families live a decent life.
Liu Tong is a representative figure of Ming officials. The vast majority of officials are not as greedy as Zhao Wenhua and Lai Tiangong (for friends who don’t remember this guy, a friendly reminder, he is the prefect who intercepted Lan Dail and Lan Niang’s unsuccessful appeal).
But they are not so poor as Hai Rui that they can't even afford meat. They basically bounce back and forth on the bottom line of the court's tolerance, be less greedy, and live a relatively comfortable life.
Xiao Feng understands this social status quo, but he does not want this trend to continue. Big greed is gradually brewed from small greed. The less this kind of culture is, the better.
"In the future, we don't have to be greedy. The court will naturally let everyone live a decent life."
The officials were so frightened that they almost sat on the ground. Can this be said? Gong Hui took the lead and started to dance while shaking their heads and waving hands.
"No, no, no, sir, we are not greedy, we really are not!"
Xiao Feng smiled: "Whether you have been greedy or not, as long as the amount is not large, I will not pursue it. But from now on, everyone should stop being greedy.
Under the Ministry of Industry, a national workshop would be established. In addition to manufacturing items used by the court, it would also manufacture items used by the common people and items for trade with foreign countries.
The profits from the Guofang were handed over to the imperial court. If the imperial court had more income, it would naturally increase the salaries of officials in the world. When official salaries are high, there is no need to be greedy! "
Gong Hui was stunned for a moment. This statement was too advanced. He really couldn't react for a moment.
"National workshop? National workshop? What exactly do they do?"
Xiao Feng smiled and said: "Muskets and artillery, swords, crossbows and bows are sold to the country. Steel plows and pickaxes, houses and furniture, silk and porcelain are sold to the people. All the above items can be sold as long as the price is right. For foreign countries.”
Gong Hui was startled: "Sir, this silk porcelain is just that, firearms, swords and guns... I have seen the products of Your Excellency's World View. They are really sharp weapons for the country and must not be sold!"
Xiao Feng smiled faintly: "You don't understand. As long as there is a better one, you can sell the old ones. This is the most profitable business in the world."
Gong Hui asked cautiously: "The world view thing is already a magic weapon that is hard to find in the world. Is there anything better?"
Xiao Feng nodded affirmatively, his eyes full of yearning: "I can only do this by myself.
But when we have technology, national workshops, and thousands of skilled craftsmen, we will definitely have something better! "
