The news that Xiao Feng wanted to establish Guofang quickly spread from the Ministry of Industry to other ministries, and became the hottest topic in the official circles of the capital.
Officials from the Ministry of Industry, who were qualified to attend the meeting that day, became popular in the social circle. Officials from various ministries changed their previous disdainful attitude and enthusiastically invited them to dinner, hoping to obtain first-hand information.
If there is a market, there will be competition, and if there is competition, there will be price increases. What started out as a bowl of shredded chicken noodles quickly escalated to four dishes.
Then, with the strong demand in the market for verification of the authenticity of the news, the value of these participants rose to the point of Zuixianlou. Finally, the person holding the co-branded card gritted his teeth and promised to have a second event!
In the heated atmosphere, the calmest person was Jiajing, who had just finished meditating with his eyes closed in the monastery. Even Huang Jin was a little curious.
"Long live the matter of Guofang mentioned by Xiao Feng. Nowadays, the government and the public are talking about it. Some people have inquired about Lao Nu's visit, but Lao Nu is also confused."
Jiajing smiled calmly: "Actually, although the name Guofang was mentioned by Xiao Feng, it is not new. It's just that Xiao Feng's handwriting is much bigger than before.
I have received the memorials from various ministries, and there will definitely be some discussion at the next court meeting. If Xiao Feng can convince everyone, this can be done. "
Huang Jin was slightly startled: "Didn't Long Live say that he would support Xiao Feng?"
Jiajing took the tea from Huang Jin's hand and sighed: "Xiao Feng wanted to increase the country's fortune for the Ming Dynasty, and the things he did became more and more complicated from easy to difficult.
The matter of Guofang is different from rebuilding the Ming Dynasty Navy. As long as I support it, even if there are complaints from below, as long as it is built, it will be over.
Guofang is something that needs to be run for a long time. Even after I ascend, future generations must be able to run it. So my support alone is not enough.
Xiao Feng must be able to convince most of the officials in the Six Ministries to keep this system forever.
Temporary things depend on power, but long-term things depend on people's hearts. "
Huang Jin looked at Jiajing, lowered his head, and said sincerely: "Long live the wise man!"
Yan Shifan received his father's letter, read it briefly, and wrote back.
"Whatever Xiao Feng wants to do now, we are resisting a little bit, but we must let him succeed in the end. I believe that my father can control the right amount.
Because if we don't resist at all, with Xiao Feng's alertness, he will definitely notice that we are making concessions at every turn, and we must have other intentions.
But if the resistance is too fierce and even disrupts what Xiao Feng wants to do, he will have nothing to do and his eyes will inevitably turn to Hu Zongxian and Xu Hai.
Officials from all over the coast are vigorously promoting the 'return plan', which is going very smoothly. Xiao Feng must not be aware of it at this time, so as not to cause trouble! "
Pigeons were flying around, and Yan Song knew what was going on, and secretly informed everyone in the Yan Party that the core idea was to grasp the scale.
A strict party official was a little worried after hearing the order, and asked his master, how to control the scale of a slight resistance gesture, and finally let Xiao Feng succeed?
The master pondered for a long time and slapped his thigh: "Master, this matter is not difficult. I will give you an example, but it will be self-evident.
That is, you can neither take off your clothes and take off your belt like a brothel girl, nor can you resist like a good girl.
Master, please recall what it was like when you hooked up with your wife’s maid.
The maid acted coyly at first, hugging her clothes tightly, but refused to scream. Then you unbutton a button and she covers another button but refuses to retie it?
When you finally took out the banknote and promised her to be your concubine, she stopped struggling and even started to twist her body so that you could take off her clothes? "
The master recalled it carefully and nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes, thank you, Master! I probably know it!"
So at the court meeting the next day, when Xiao Feng raised the issue of Jianguo Fang, the Yan Party officials collectively began to twist their bodies and pretend to cover their buttons.
"Master Xiao, this is inappropriate. Isn't it beneath the dignity of the imperial court to set up a national square to do business and compete for profits with the people?"
Xiao Feng smiled and said: "Since Guan Zhong, the country's salt and iron franchise has been of the nature of Guofang, but its scope is small. Besides, sir, you often patronize Guofang's business."
The Yan party official was stunned: "Are you talking about buying salt and ironware? I do buy some from time to time in my government."
Xiao Feng shook his head and said: "No, I'm talking about you, my lord, visiting brothels. All brothels in the world are managed by the Jiaofang Division, and they also pay taxes to the Jiaofang Division.
Your Excellency often visits those places. It is true that you have the imperial court in your heart, dedicate yourself to it, and strive to contribute to the imperial court. "
The strict party official was furious, but he remembered that he always had to take off his clothes and belt in the end, so he couldn't be too rigid, so he had to get back in line in anger and get another one.
"Master Xiao, whether it is the court's salt and iron monopoly or the brothel hook and loop, these are businesses that are not allowed to be run by the common people and will not affect the common people's livelihood.
If Guofang can even make silk porcelain, what will the people do? Isn't this competing for interests with the people? "
Xiao Feng nodded: "If you can think of competing with the people for profit, you are considered a thoughtful person. To compete with the people for profit, you must have something to fight for.
Nowadays, folk looms range from a housewife with only one loom to one person; at most, there are only a dozen or dozens of looms in workshops.
Why is this so? Because trade routes are not smooth, self-sufficiency is enough. But if the trade routes are smooth, these are far from enough.
The purpose of silk, porcelain, and all industries in Guofang is to make high-quality products and to earn money from foreigners! Private industry needs to be of high quality and low price.
Take porcelain as an example. Since ancient times, there have been official kilns and private kilns. If you let the common people eat with a porcelain bowl from an official kiln, it would be a waste of natural resources. "
After the strict party official completed his pretentious task, he naturally returned to the team. He stopped arguing and was replaced by the next person.
"Master Xiao, Guofang Guofang is the workshop of the country, that is, it is a property of the country. Why is it only placed under the Ministry of Works? How can the other five ministries be embarrassed?"
Xiao Feng smiled slightly: "Excuse me, sir, are officials like you the country's talents? Why are they only placed under the management of the Ministry of Personnel?
I would like to ask if the official prostitutes in Jiaofang are the official prostitutes of the country. Why are they only placed under the management of the Ministry of Rites? Do you want the six ministries to jointly manage these official prostitutes?
If this is the case, even if your Excellency says so clearly, why bother pointing the finger at the issue of national office and official affiliation? "
This was the most frustrating battle for Yan Dang in history. Because no matter whether they won or lost before, they could still try their best and feel proud even if they lost.
But in this battle, there are instructions from above that you can only fight with postures and not with real swords and guns. If Xiao Feng exerts his strength at the slightest moment, you will be pushed down.
Therefore, Xiao Feng encountered almost no decent resistance, and Yan Song didn't even say a word, so he passed the test directly and settled the matter of Guofang.
Looking at Xiao Feng's back leaving triumphantly, and looking at the extremely humiliating eyes of his group of younger brothers being ravaged, Yan Song's teeth were about to break.
Xiao Feng, just be arrogant. How arrogant you are now. When you find out that Hu Zongxian has set up his own business and my son's plan is successful and he returns to the court, you will be shocked and frustrated.
I really want to see that scene right away, even if I lose a year of my life for it!
After Hu Zongxian became the governor of Jiangnan, Xu Wei and Xu Hai interacted more and more frequently. Wang Zhi's encirclement was ineffective in the face of Hu Zongxian's domineering power. He entered and exited as soon as he said it.
Wang Zhi wrote to Xiao Feng several times to express his concerns about Hu Zongxian's abnormal behavior. Xiao Feng told him that Hu Zongxian was one of his own and there was no need to worry.
Wang Zhi frowned. He heard that Hu Zongxian had recently been closely associated with strict party officials along the Jiangnan coast, which really worried him.
Wang Zhi took refuge in Xiao Feng, so naturally he was at odds with Yan Dang. Didn't Xiao Feng, a smart man like Xiao Feng, notice Hu Zongxian's actions?
Or was he tripped up by something and had no time to look south? Wang Zhi fell into deep depression, but he did not dare to speak too deeply.
After all, when Hu Zongxian and Xiao Feng were friends, he was still outside the circle. Wang Zhi still understands the truth of being distant and not being intimate.
Above the court, in Hu Zongxian's memorials, a person's name began to appear more and more: Luo Wenlong.
In Hu Zongxian's memorial, Luo Wenlong played an increasingly important role, and his importance even exceeded that of Xu Hai.
Luo Wenlong persuaded Xu Hai to cease fire and create conditions for peace talks between the two sides. Luo Wenlong persuaded Wang Cuiqiao and no longer opposed the peace talks.
Luo Wenlong persuaded Xu Hai to let Xu Wei go to the island to negotiate. When someone wanted to rebel on the island, Luo Wenlong dealt with it decisively and protected the safety of the envoy Xu Wei.
Luo Wenlong went ashore in person, interviewed Hu Zongxian, and sought pardon and rewards for the Xu Hai fleet...
Jiajing watched Hu Zongxian's memorial every day and became more and more familiar with the name Luo Wenlong. He was very excited when he saw the hope of surrender.
At the small court meeting that day, Jiajing praised Hu Zongxian, saying that his junior brother and I both have good vision and know how to make good use of people. Although this Luo Wenlong was born as a pirate, he was still quite knowledgeable.
When the critical moment arrived, Yan Song coughed slightly and stepped forward.
"Long live, Hu Zongxian's latest memorial contains a shocking secret. After reading it, the veterans and cabinet members were very shocked.
Because this matter involves an old minister, the veteran should avoid suspicion and let Xu Cifu report. "
Jiajing took a look and saw that Xiao Feng was not there, so he asked helplessly: "Xiao Feng has been missing for several days. Where did he go?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Xiao Feng hurried into Xiyuan and bowed deeply to Jiajing, his face covered with sweat.
"Senior brother, in the past two days, in order to prepare for the great famine and to deal with matters such as the shipbuilding workshop, the officials from the six ministries have taken turns to come to discuss with me, so they have no time to spare. Please don't blame me, senior brother."
Yan Song secretly sneered in his heart, these people were all arranged by him in order to make Xiao Feng unable to escape, unable to stay in the cabinet, and absent from court meetings, in order to cooperate with Hu Zongxian's surrender.
But on the surface, he said very sincerely: "Long live, this is true. Since ancient times, those who are capable work harder. Mr. Xiao in the cabinet knows the best about these matters, so there are many people looking for him.
Xu Cifu and I are old and decrepit, and Gao Gong is concentrating on the affairs of the Ministry of Rites and Academic Affairs. Mr. Xiao is indeed overworked on these matters! "
Xu Jie's face was expressionless, and he gritted his teeth secretly. You are right to be old. Don't fucking drag me along. I'm not very old yet, and I'm still waiting for you to take over!
Jiajing naturally wouldn't blame Xiao Feng for being late for work and leaving early. He just smiled and nodded, signaling Xu Jie to continue.
Xu Jie cleared his throat, glanced at Xiao Feng with a strange expression, opened the memorial, and read it slowly.
"Long live my Majesty Hu Zongxian: The recruitment and surrender of Xu Hai is progressing smoothly and will be completed soon! This is due to Luo Wenlong's power.
Luo Wenlong made it clear to his ministers today that it was actually a trick that the imperial court placed among the pirates. He had endured it for many years, all because of what happened today, and he couldn't help but cry.
The minister did not dare to believe it, so Luo Wenlong told him that many officials in Jiangnan had plans arranged by Dongchang many years ago to prove his identity.
I then questioned officials from all over the south of the Yangtze River, and officials from six coastal provinces presented evidence, which I presented in the memorial.
The matter is so serious that I dare not be expert in it, so I will report the matter to the court in detail and ask the cabinet to consider it. Long live the Holy Judgment! "
Xiao Feng was shocked: "What? Luo Wenlong is a master craftsman? Impossible! This man is Xu Hai's adopted son and holds great power in Xu Hai's fleet. Will he be a master craftsman?"
Yan Song sneered in his heart, you are surprised now, not only is it a little late, but it is also a little early. What will surprise you even more is yet to come!
Sure enough, Xu Jie looked at the plan attached to the memorial, then glanced at Xiao Feng, his expression even weirder.
"Long live the plan. As expected, the plan has the handwriting stamp of Zhang Yuan, the owner of Dongchang Factory. In addition, there is also the signature of Yan Shifan, then the governor of the Houjun Governor's Mansion and the Shaoqing of Shangbao Division!"
As soon as he said this, everyone in the audience was shocked. Even Jiajing almost stood up. He waved to Xu Jie to send the memorial and documents to the desk and read them carefully.
Xiao Feng was really fooled by this sap: "This matter...this matter must be false! How could Luo Wenlong be a meticulous worker?
Even if Luo Wenlong is really meticulous, it cannot be related to Yan Shifan! What is Yan Shifan's identity? Will it be his turn to arrange the details? "
Yan Song wanted to avoid suspicion, so he just looked at Xiao Feng with a smile, feeling indescribably happy in his heart. Naturally, the younger brothers lurking in the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Personnel jumped out to speak for themselves.
"Master Xiao, before Yan Shifan recognized Taichang Temple Minister, he served as the Commander-in-Chief of the Commander-in-Chief of the Later Army. The Commander-in-Chief of the Five Armies was naturally responsible for the extermination of pirates and Japanese pirates!"
"The Governor's Office of the Fifth Army also has the right to spy on military intelligence and assign detailed plans. Moreover, this plan was formulated jointly with Dongchang, so there is no problem. Mr. Xiao is clearly jealous of talents and talents and refuses to acknowledge Yan Shifan's contribution!"
Seeing that Xiao Feng wanted to speak, Jiajing waved his hand and gently stopped Xiao Feng.
"Junior brother, I know you are not on good terms with Yan Shifan, but these documents are all genuine. The ink on the paper is old, especially the seal, which cannot be fake.
Zhang Yuan is dead. Just ask Yan Shifan to find out. If it is indeed the foreshadowing he laid back then, this contribution cannot be ignored. "
Xiao Feng had no choice but to swallow his anger and make his final counterattack: "Brother, I'm not jealous of talents, you know I'm not that kind of person.
It's just that even if Yan Shifan and Zhang Yuan teamed up to launch a detailed operation, it was still unclear who was in charge. People among pirates and Japanese pirates will inevitably not become bad.
Now that Luo Wenlong can truly surrender, it must be because there are people who have kept in touch with him for many years. I boldly speculate that this must be the work of Mr. Zhang! "
Yan Song finally couldn't help it anymore, and he said coldly: "Master Xiao, can all the credit in the world belong to you alone? Can't others contribute to the Ming Dynasty National Games?
Xiaoer Donglou also read the books of sages since he was a child. Although he has some shortcomings, he is not without merit.
Why can't he keep in touch with Luo Wenlong and teach and act secretly? "
Xiao Feng also sneered: "Who can't talk nonsense? I dare to conclude that Yan Shifan definitely doesn't have the patience and sentiment to keep in touch with a small craftsman.
The detailed work itself should have been sent by Dongchang, which was Dongchang's responsibility, but Zhang Changgong had a good relationship with Yan Shifan, so he signed it for Yan Shifan by the way! "
Yan Song was furious: "You said I was talking empty talk, but are your words actually justified?"
Xiao Feng smiled and said: "Master Yan, everything must be reasonable. If Yan Shifan hadn't been corrupt and evil, how could he have been expelled from Beijing?
I use this as a basis to say that he played a minor role in this matter, which is a reasonable speculation. Isn't it reasonable for a corrupt official to have the imperial court in mind?
Since Mr. Yan cannot make reasonable speculations based on reality, he should come up with real evidence to prove that Yan Shifan has indeed been in contact with Luo Wenlong over the years.
Otherwise, what merit can be judged based on just a signature? "
Although Xiao Feng's words contained elements of being angry with Yan Dang, they were indeed reasonable. Jiajing also nodded slightly, but did not want to disappoint his old friend too much.
"Yan Aiqing, with this signature, it is a bit of credit. I will also ask the Ministry of War to reward you based on your merits, whether it is to reduce your crime or to give you an official status."
Yan Song was anxious. His son had planned so many things just to return to the court. What was the use of just reducing his crime and giving him a pension? He bowed and saluted, his tone affirmative.
"Long live this, I will immediately send someone to ask Xiao'er about this matter. If he can produce real evidence, what will Mr. Xiao say?"
Xiao Feng sneered and said: "The sun really rises from the west. If he can produce real evidence to prove that he has been in contact with Luo Wenlong, I will be the first to recommend Yan Shifan to return to the court!"
Yan Song was overjoyed and stared at Xiao Feng: "What does a gentleman say?"
Xiao Feng said firmly: "If it doesn't count, let me become like Yan Shifan, hard to chase with a push cart!"
Yan Song was so angry that he almost jumped up, but after all, the main goal was achieved, so he didn't get angry with Xiao Feng, and turned around to the court officials and cupped his hands.
"Everyone has heard it. In front of Long Live, it is a gentleman's appointment. Let's see how Mr. Xiao will act when the time comes!"
Jiajing watched the confrontation between the two helplessly, thinking silently: If Yan Shifan really comes up with evidence, his junior brother's face will be lost.
But I can't break my promise. Forget it, just give him a small official position and let Yan Shifan start over.
The official letter of inquiry from the cabinet was sent by Kuai Ma and headed straight to Jiangxi. But in fact, the pigeons in Yan's mansion have already taken to the sky, many times faster than horses.
People in the court were panicked, especially the neutral faction, who couldn't help but secretly worry.
Yan Shifan had committed so many crimes and was kicked out of the court. If he could come back, could Xiao Feng be able to withstand the Yan Party's counterattack?
