Spring is warm and flowers are blooming, but the first spring rain has not yet arrived, making this spring look less vibrant.
The vegetation in Miao territory has also been affected by drought. The spring plowing of the Miao people was not going well, and the little chieftains complained to the big chieftain one after another, hoping to get help.
But the big chieftain was helpless. Although he still lived in the big chieftain's mansion, his wife and son were imprisoned by Xiao Qin on the high priest's Gu Mountain. He was now just a puppet on strings.
He told Xiao Qin that chieftains everywhere were anxious, but Xiao Qin just smiled lightly and was very proud.
"If there's a drought, don't farm. The food stored at home can always last until summer. If it doesn't work, let them eat the seeds too."
The big chieftain glared at Xiao Qin: "You will starve to death without eating seeds. Every farmer knows this. If you eat seeds, what will you do next year?"
Xiao Qin said with a smile: "They have no food to eat, so they can make up their minds to go outside to grab it. If they have enough food and clothing, who is willing to work with us?"
The big chieftain gritted his teeth and said: "But if there is a severe drought in the Central Plains and you go around destroying everything, there will be no food outside! Who will you rob?"
Xiao Qin nodded with satisfaction: "It's just that there is no food everywhere. The less food there is, the fiercer the robbery will be.
Not only do we rob the Central Plains people, but the Central Plains people themselves will also rob it. The people robbed the people, the army robbed the people, and the army robbed the army.
In the end, the entire court will be in chaos and lose control of the army and people. Hunger will make people lose their minds, and the people will feel that it is the imperial court's fault that they starve to death.
They would feel that corrupt officials had robbed them of their food, and they would feel that the emperor was unkind and that God was punishing them. Then they would spontaneously oppose the imperial court and overthrow it.
In this process, whoever guides them, brings them hope, and brings them justice will be the final winner. "
Xiao Qin was right. Not only did he know this, but Jiajing also knew it.
Ever since Xiao Feng tested the calligraphy of Cuoqin Living Buddha and found out that Xiao Qin was going to cause a great famine, everyone in the court was preparing for this matter.
Yan Song stepped down and Xu Jie became the chief assistant. He led officials from the six departments to discuss countermeasures day and night. But after everyone keeps talking, there is nothing new.
The Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of War, and the Ministry of Personnel collaborated to strengthen patrols in various granaries and warehouses, and prepare more fire-extinguishing materials to prevent the White Lotus cultists from setting fire to destruction when they take the opportunity.
The Ministry of Industry urged the construction of water conservancy projects in various places and manufactured a large number of waterwheels for irrigation purposes. The Ministry of Household Affairs prepares seeds for various staple foods and prepares them for distribution to farmers who have no money to buy seeds.
The Ministry of War was working hard and frequently mobilized military generals near the Miao border area to prepare for possible attacks in the Miao border area at any time. As well as nomads who may take advantage of the situation in Xuanda and outside Shanhaiguan.
Apart from this, everyone has discussed it over and over again, and I don’t know if there are any more feasible methods.
Since the beginning of spring, Qin Tian Jian has suddenly become the most concerned department in the court. Normally, Qintianjian is a yamen that is so cold that the chairs on the buttocks are cold, but now it has suddenly become a place for Internet celebrities to check in.
Not only Xu Jie Gaogong visited Qintian Prison every day, but also the front desk boy Zhang Juzheng was no exception. Jiajing summoned Qin Tian Jian Zheng more times than summoned Concubine Lu Jing to sleep with her.
When are people most embarrassed and embarrassed? It’s not about running into Lao Wang next door when I go home, it’s not about Yu Qian’s swimming pool airplane cable pull, it’s not even about crayfish gloves!
But when everyone is looking at you expectantly, hoping that you can give good news, your pocket is full of disappointment day after day.
Imagine that your parents held a banquet, and a large circle of your relatives and friends, including a few distant cousins who were ogling you, gathered around the admission notice in your hand.
"Tsinghua University or Peking University? The National People's Congress can also do it! If it doesn't work, we will make do with Zhejiang University, Beihang University and Tongji University!"
"Shandong Lanxiang Vocational and Technical College."
While everyone is stunned, you quickly save your respect: "Although the school is not good, the major is good! Double major in beauty salon and excavator!"
The current Supervisor Qintian is holding Lan Xiang's notice, but both the cabinet and Jiajing are expecting him to come up with a notice from Tsinghua University and Peking University.
"Will it rain this month?"
"Well...it probably won't happen depending on the situation."
"Will it rain next month?"
"Well...Weichen thinks it's very difficult to have."
"Will it rain next month?"
"Long live my lords, the weather is changing. I dare not say anything unreasonable, but from the perspective of the sky, it doesn't look like it..."
"Down, down, down..."
"Sir, it will be useless if it rains by then. It will be long past the time for farming..."
Everyone was silent, Xu Jie glanced around and said dissatisfiedly.
"We are all so anxious, but Xiao Feng is nowhere to be seen. As a cabinet minister, this is too shameful!"
Gao Gong glanced at Xu Jie, nodded and said, "It's true that I haven't seen Mr. Xiao for several days, and I don't know what he is busy with."
Zhang Juzheng was about to help Xiao Feng distinguish a few words, when he suddenly saw Xu Jie's eyes and his heart trembled. There was expectation and warning in his eyes, so Zhang Juzheng had no choice but to swallow his words first.
After going down to court, Xu Jie patted Zhang Juzheng on the shoulder: "Come to my house for dinner today. We are all too busy. We teachers and students have not had a good time over wine for a long time."
Zhang Juzheng did not refuse and went to Xu Jie's home together. The food and wine are not luxurious, but they also have chicken, duck, fish and meat. The wine is of course good wine, a small altar of God-given wine.
After Zhang Juzheng toasted Xu Jie three glasses of wine, he finally couldn't help it anymore: "Teacher, Brother Xiao has been busy preparing for the naval and technical examinations. You know that, why do you say that in front of Long Live?"
Xu Jie put down his wine glass, looked at Zhang Juzheng with his eyebrows twisted, and sighed after a long time.
"Taiyue, you are still young and don't know enough. Now that the Yan Party has been destroyed and Xiao Feng is so powerful, it is not a good thing for the Ming Dynasty.
If he was a scholar, he would just do it step by step, but he is a Taoist disciple and Wan Live's junior brother, and Wan Live favors him even more than Yan Song.
Although he claims not to be a party member, the Xiao Party has naturally taken shape. If left unchecked, Xiao Feng will one day become the second Yan Song. Who can resist him? "
Zhang Juzheng looked at Xu Jie in surprise: "Teacher, Brother Xiao... is not that kind of person!"
Xu Jie smiled bitterly and said: "Taiyue, what kind of person do you think Yan Song is?"
Zhang Juzheng said without hesitation: "Powerful ministers, treacherous ministers, sycophants! They flatter the monarch, join the party and oppose dissenters, greedy for money and power..."
Xu Jie listened to Zhang Juzheng's eloquence without interrupting. He waited until Zhang Juzheng finished speaking before speaking calmly.
"Except for not having a son, what's the difference between Xiao Feng and Yan Song?"
Zhang Juzheng was stunned and said angrily: "How can these two people be compared? One is in the sky and the other is on the ground!"
Xu Jie put down his wine glass: "What evidence do you have for saying that Yan Song flatters the monarch?"
"He wrote Qing Ci for Long Live and gained favor, collected money for Long Live to gain power, and allowed Long Live to practice Taoism with peace of mind. He reported good things but not bad things in the court!"
Xu Jie said with a smile: "Xiao Feng gained favor by measuring Chinese characters for Long Live, gained wealth and gained power for Long Live, practiced Taoism with peace of mind for Long Live, and opened his mouth and kept silent about the destiny of the Ming Dynasty.
Think about it, he donated most of his money to Long Live when he was in Doubei and Tan Xinren, and later gave up his shares in World View to Long Live. Is his scheming lower than that of Yan Song? "
Zhang Juzheng was speechless for a moment: "This is different, he has real ability!"
Xu Jie exclaimed: "So all Yan Song's sins are due to his inability to measure calligraphy and his lack of real ability? What if Yan Song can also measure calligraphy?"
Zhang Juzheng's mind was in confusion. He felt that what Xu Jie said was wrong, but he couldn't tell what was wrong. After thinking for a moment, his eyes finally lit up.
"Even though Xiao Feng's methods are similar to Yan Song's, he really thinks about the Ming Dynasty. The fate of the Ming Dynasty requires a rich country and a strong army, and the people are happy, so the direction is the same!"
Xu Jie poured himself a glass of wine, stared at the glass blankly with extremely complicated eyes, and drank it down after a long time.
"This is what I'm most afraid of. Taiyue, he said today that the luck of the Ming Dynasty needed to practice Taoism in Long Live is to make the country rich, the army strong, and the people happy.
What if one day, he says, "Long Live the Taoism", the Ming Dynasty's destiny is to engage in violence and bloodshed?
What if one day, he said, "Long Live the Taoism, what you need is a pond of wine, a forest of meat, a basin of cannon and firewood?" Do you believe him or not? "
Zhang Juzheng stood up immediately, his face pale: "No, it won't happen. Xiao Feng is not that kind of person. Teacher, you are worrying too much!"
Xu Jie smiled bitterly and said: "Of course I know he is not that kind of person, I just gave you an extreme example to let you understand what kind of influence Xiao Feng has now!
Xiao Feng may be a good person, but people change. At the beginning, Yan Song was very high-spirited and full of ambition. He has been an emperor for three generations, could he become the chief minister just by flattery? "
Zhang Juzheng still shook his head: "Xiao Feng will not change, I believe he will not change! He will not become like Yan Song!"
Xu Jie sighed and said: "Even if Xiao Feng doesn't change, we can't let him cover the sky with one hand. Someone must be able to contain him.
What he is doing now is already hurting Daming! "
Zhang Juzheng was puzzled: "Teacher, you said that Xiao Feng will threaten Daming in the future. I can understand your thinking. But you said that Xiao Feng is hurting Daming now. The student is really confused."
Xu Jie said sternly: "In all the dynasties and in the peaceful and prosperous times, scholars have ruled the world! Anyone who values martial arts over literature will inevitably cause chaos!
Xiao Feng has a close relationship with military generals and has a high prestige in the army. He has also been persuading Long Live to pay equal attention to civil and military affairs, but his intentions should not be scrutinized!
Now Xiao Feng has set up some technical and scientific examinations, and wants a group of craftsmen who use strange skills to become officials in the court. This is shaking the foundation of the Ming Dynasty! "
Zhang Juzheng has always respected his teacher very much, so Xu Jie's words did have an impact on him, but he still tried hard to defend Xiao Feng.
"Teacher, didn't Xiao Feng say that most of those who pass the technical examination will not enter the court, but will enter the Guofang as officials."
Xu Jie sneered: "Don't you understand the pros and cons? When Taizu abolished the position of prime minister and replaced it with multiple cabinet ministers, it was to prevent one person from monopolizing power!
What is Guofang? It's Xiao Feng's separate small court! How did the officials in Guofang become officials? It was Xiao Feng who gave them the opportunity to pass the technical examination and become officials!
They will only have Xiao Feng in their eyes and hearts, and they will only be loyal to Xiao Feng. Xiao Feng possesses the art of heavenly calligraphy and has endless whimsical ideas. With this team that is loyal to him, what can't be done? "
Zhang Juzheng hesitated and said: "Even if Xiao Feng controls Guofang, the cabinet and the six ministries belong to the imperial court. What does a Guofang have to do with it?"
Xu Jie shook his head and sighed: "Confused, confused! The Six Departments in Nanjing are still alive, is it useful? It was just a place for officials to retire! It has long been empty!"
Why? Because after Chengzu moved the capital, the actual benefits followed the emperor to the northern capital!
Wherever the interests are, there are rights. This is the eternal truth!
The Guofang controlled by Xiao Feng is filled with hundreds of worldviews! There are as many rights as there are interests there!
In the end, the six departments in Beijing will become empty frames just like Nanjing! Officials take money from Guofang, so they will naturally listen to Guofang and Xiao Feng! "
Zhang Juzheng was trembling all over: "No matter how rich Guofang is, it belongs to the imperial court. The imperial court has an army, and the army is loyal to the imperial court, but not to Xiao Feng!"
Xu Jie looked at Zhang Juzheng worriedly: "Xuan Da's front line holds heavy troops. Whose hands are these heavy troops? In the hands of Qiu Luan and Qi Jiguang!
How many soldiers are there in the Jiangnan Guards Station? When Xiao Feng was the governor of Jiangnan, he used the name of Long Live to recruit troops, but those troops were not fools!
If Long Live doesn't work for the army early or late, why did Xiao Feng start working for the army as soon as he arrived in Jiangnan? Who do they thank in their hearts? Long live it? No, it's Xiao Feng!
After Hu Zongxian took over as the governor of Jiangnan, he also used profits to maintain the support of the army. Who dares to say that there was no secret inspiration and funding from Xiao Feng?
Xiao Feng went to the Miao Territory to rescue Hai Rui this time. Needless to say, Chen Tianyu, the commander-in-chief of the Miao Territory, must have been conquered by him. He has plenty of money, Taoist skills, and popular support!
He was the one who recruited Wang Zhi to surrender, Xu Hai's fleet is now in the hands of Hu Zongxian, and he will still be in charge of the navy that will be built in the future!
see that? Not only were his people everywhere in the Ming Dynasty’s army, but all of the Ming Dynasty’s seas were also filled with his people!
Although Lu Bing of Jinyiwei is loyal to the emperor, from him on down, from his son Lu Yi to Shen Lian, including the general banners of hundreds of households, who is not familiar with Xiao Feng?
I heard that Yang Jisheng, the prefect of Qingzhou, is going to be promoted again. Is there any involvement of Xiao Feng in this?
Not to mention, An Dahan is so cruel and cruel, but he respects Xiao Feng very much. The Tibetan area has always been at odds with the imperial court, but they believe that Xiao Feng is a natural-born Buddhist!
If given time, Xiao Feng becomes stronger, and if Xiao Feng really has any thoughts, what do you think the court can use to fight against Xiao Feng! "
Zhang Juzheng's face was as pale as a sheet of paper. He had indeed never thought about these things. Because he believed in Xiao Feng so much, he never thought about other aspects.
But when the teacher talked about these things together, they were irrefutable and were all iron-clad facts.
"Teacher, why have you never said these words before? Moreover, Yan Song also said many of these charges, and you were opposed to them at the time!
Yan Song said that it was a capital crime for Xiao Feng to work in the army in the south of the Yangtze River. Yan Song also said that Xiao Feng, as an official, competed with the people for profit. Yan Song also said that he would be punished if he made friends with him!
Although you agreed with these words at the beginning, you were actually opposed to them. You also secretly asked me to help Xiao Feng speak and do things! "
Xu Jie said calmly: "The Yan Party was powerful at that time, and Xiao Feng and the Yan Party were mortal enemies. Of course we had to help Xiao Feng and fight against the Yan Party. This was to drive the tiger away and swallow the wolf.
Now that the Yan Party has been destroyed, Xiao Feng, a fierce tiger, has lost its opponent and needs to be put back in the cage, otherwise, it may eat people! "
Zhang Juzheng poured a glass of wine with difficulty, drank it down, paced back and forth, and suddenly stopped.
"Teacher, I'm going to talk to Xiao Feng. I believe that in order to avoid suspicion, he is willing to make some changes!"
Xu Jie shook his head: "No, the method is wrong and the time is wrong."
At this time, Zhang Juzheng already knew that there was still a certain distance between his scheming and the teacher's, so he bowed his head and handed over.
"Please teach me, teacher."
"The method is wrong. It means we can't alert the enemy. The Yan Party has just been destroyed and we have just taken over the cabinet. We have too few people and are still fledgling. We are not yet qualified to negotiate with Xiao Feng.
It would be fine if Xiao Feng was reasonable, but if Xiao Feng turns against him, with his current strength, we cannot stop him. And once we lose, there really will be no one left to fight against him.
The timing was wrong because of the Miao border incident. Xiao Feng is at most a hidden danger to the imperial court, but Miao Jiang is indeed an obvious danger to the imperial court!
Seeing that a severe drought in the Central Plains is becoming more and more likely, if the Miao territory really rebels, it will definitely come with force. We still need to work with Xiao Feng to resolve this matter! "
Zhang Juzheng looked at Xu Jie painfully: "In that case, what does the teacher want me to do by telling me this?"
Xu Jie showed a smile: "Taiyue, if you fail to predict everything, it will be ruined. From today on, we must divide Xiao Feng's power and enhance our strength.
Win over officials, control the six ministries, and reorganize the military. The most important thing is to weaken Wanzai's favorable impression of Xiao Feng and make Wanzai realize that Xiao Feng cannot have too much power.
Whether it is a view of the world or a state of affairs, the imperial court must intervene and control it! Xiao Feng can be a supplementary person, but he cannot be the main one! "
Zhang Juzheng smiled bitterly and said: "According to what the teacher said, what if Xiao Feng notices and he turns his back?"
Xu Jie smiled: "Wanzai's cleverness is no less than that of Xiao Feng, not to mention that Xiao Feng is still young.
He can fall out with us, but he can't fall out with Banzai. If he really falls out with us, it will save us trouble.
But Taiyue, Xiao Feng is really too young. When Long Live Daxing comes, no matter who of the two princes ascends to the throne, they will not be Xiao Feng's opponent.
Who can say for sure whether Xiao Feng will become Cao Cao or Cao Pi? I guess I will be gone by then. What about you? What should you do? "
Coming out of Xu Jie's home, Zhang Juzheng staggered, as if he was drunk. His mind was like a mess, and his chest felt uncomfortable.
Someone gave him a hand. Zhang Juzheng raised his head and saw Zhan Feiyun, the head catcher of the Ministry of Punishment and a member of the foreign service team, looking at him with concern.
"Are you drunk, Master Shangshu? This place is close to our Ministry of Justice. How about I help you back to the official office to have a rest before going home?"
Zhang Juzheng forced a smile and said: "Have a few more drinks, Feiyun, now you don't have to watch the night, why are you still here so late?"
Zhan Feiyun smiled and said: "Mrs. Xiao hosted a banquet today and invited Yingxiang. I just sent Yingxiang home and dropped by the official office to have a look."
Only then did Zhang Juzheng remember that Zhan Feiyun usually lived in Xiao Mansion. When the cold wind blew, he suddenly shuddered and sobered up a lot.
"Feiyun, you go ahead, I'll walk home by myself. Just walk and take a look, it'll be fine."
