Holidays off.
Du Yinxi and his family went to the Temple of the Reclining Buddha to offer incense, which was quite sincere.
After the emperor and his court migrated between the two places like migratory birds, Yuquan Mountain became an important place. Not to mention the villas of civil and military officials, there were even many temples.
The Xihuang Temple was built for the former Grand Lama of the Plateau, the Bodhi Temple was dedicated to soldiers who fought in battles over the years, and the Huayan Temple was known as the royal private temple.
Other temples such as the Reclining Buddha Temple and the Dajue Temple are built in the Western Mountains, adjacent to the Yuquan Mountain. Relying on the nobles and nobles, these temples are very prosperous and attract believers continuously.
According to common sense, Confucian disciples should stay away from ghosts and gods, but Confucius and his elders could not stand up to him. He only focused on the imperial examination. If people can't ask Buddha to ask questions about all the difficulties in this world, how can they survive?
Originally, Du Yinxi didn't want to come, but when he thought of the dilemma in the court, he couldn't help but have an idea.
There were crowds of people at the entrance of Wat Pho, and hundreds of steps were packed with people.
Even though he was an auxiliary minister, he did not dare to talk about underwriting the Qing Dynasty to retire idle people. How could he know that there were not many family members of princes and princes here?
The women and children went to worship Buddha, while Du Yinxi came to the back mountain and enjoyed the scenery.
"Brother Du?"
Suddenly, a familiar voice came to his ears.
Turning around, he saw that it was Feng Xianzong, the second assistant.
He was wearing a Confucian robe, a square scarf, and blue and white, just like an old private school teacher.
"I never thought that you and I would meet here."
After being stunned, Du Yinxi showed some surprise.
The two of them came closer and started walking on the fallen leaves.
We talked about family affairs, calligraphy, and finally inevitably talked about the court.
"People can not escape from doing wrong?"
Feng Xianzong said with relief: "No matter what the outcome of this matter is, you and I are both wrong. We can only stay dormant."
Du Yinxi forced a smile: "You still have a chance, but I can't, I'm old!"
He is sixty-six years old, which is an embarrassing age for cabinet ministers.
Perhaps within a year or two, he will become an official, and the hope of advancement is very slim.
That's why he hoped that Feng Xianzong would go up and become the second assistant before taking office, and he would be satisfied.
Unfortunately, judging from the current situation, he can only serve as a group assistant, even by the end of this year.
There are countless people in the court who want to go further and experience the taste of the prime minister. How can he last long as they stare at him with eager eyes?
"Don't worry." Feng Xianzong has followed the emperor for more than twenty years and has a more long-term view: "Who among the officials of the fourth rank and above in the imperial court does not your Majesty know?"
"Whether it is knowledge or ability, the most important thing is that Jane is in the heart of the emperor."
Feng Xianzong's eyes moved, like a deep pool of water suddenly stirred up by the wind.
"As long as His Majesty knows us and our capabilities, how can he give up?"
"Mr. Ge, you are not that easy to do."
Seeing Du Yinxi deep in thought, Feng Xianzong smiled and said nothing. Instead, he looked into the mountains and forests, seemingly admiring the beautiful scenery.
After a long time, Du Yinxi came back to his senses and his expression became much calmer.
What if your heart is with them? What about Zhu Mou?
Doesn't it mean that Zhu Mou has lost his heart as a king?
In other words, the emperor either denounced the two of them or denounced Zhu Mou.
There are two possibilities, but Feng Xianzong believed that Zhu Mou had lost his heart as a king.
It seems that he already has the evidence.
"Let's give it a try." Du Yinxi stroked his beard and said, "I will never get tired of seeing this scenery of mountains and rivers."
"Yes!" Feng Xianzong said in a relaxed tone.
As the two of them responded calmly, Zhu Mou launched an offensive. Although it was as fierce as ever, there was a feeling that the remaining power was gradually disappearing.
Zhu Mou was also aware of the situation and took this opportunity to stop pursuing him and consolidate his territory. It seemed that more and more disciples and old officials were shouting at him.
As the end of the year approaches, its power becomes more and more prominent.
For a time, everyone in the court was talking, and Zhu Shoufu was in charge of the cabinet alone, following the trend of Zhao Shoufu and Yan Shoufu.
The situation in the capital is puzzling.
However, Zhao Shu, who is retiring at home, although he is nearly seventy years old, is still clear-sighted and has no comment on this matter.
When his son asked, he scolded him: "My family has been passing down titles from generation to generation. All we need to do is be on good terms with the court. Don't get involved."
"No matter how much it is, can it compare to the title on your head?"
In fact, when asking for answers from close disciples, there is another saying:
"When gods fight, mortals suffer. It's normal for officials to have ups and downs. No one knows what the outcome will be until the last moment?"
"Just stick to yourself, be loyal to the emperor and love the people."
The so-called Beijing inspection is a system used by the Ministry of Personnel to evaluate officials in the capital.
During the Hongwu period, it was stipulated that the exam should be taken every three years, and later it was changed to every ten years. During the Hongzhi period, it was every six years. In the Shaowu dynasty, it was every three years.
Its biggest purpose is to understand corrupt officials and purify the officialdom.
Although it may become a means for officialdom to form cliques for personal gain, it is two different things whether it exists or not.
Also in order to limit their practice of favoritism and malpractice, the targets of the Beijing Inspectorate were the civil servants in the capital below the fourth rank, and were presided over by the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel.
Officials of fourth rank and above are personally inspected by the cabinet and decided by the emperor.
This is also the reason why Zhu Mou wants to control the cabinet. If the cabinet cannot be unified externally, then he, the chief minister, cannot be guaranteed the right to speak in the capital.
Isn't the pursuit of popularity in the officialdom just for promotion?
If you can't promote others or even protect them, why should they follow you?
The Minister of the Ministry of Personnel is known as the Heavenly Official, and his power is no less than that of ordinary assistants. He can even be tough on the chief assistant. Only the entire cabinet can suppress him.
Compared with Zhao Shu's comfort and plainness, Yan Chongxin, who had retired for less than a year, was a little uneasy.
Of course, he did not dare to take part in the government affairs at risk, but secretly told his sons who were officials not to pursue Zhu Mou.
"As the saying goes, it's easy to add icing on the cake, but it's difficult to provide help when needed. The three assistants in the cabinet are at a disadvantage. If you go to the door, you will be able to provide help at a critical time."
"Then what if Zhu Shoufu is blamed in the future?"
"As long as I'm here, he won't do anything to you." Yan Chongxin whispered, his eyes glowing:
"Moreover, if one of these three people gets up in the future, wouldn't it be possible to make a lot of money?"
"The dangers are negligible compared to the benefits, so how can you not participate?"
Even the East Palace was talking about it, and Zhu Mou took advantage of the capital inspection to completely consolidate his power.
But the prince remained motionless, focusing on cultivating his health and procreating his children.
The desolation of others is to him the order of his parents, and he has to follow it.
He practiced the Thin Gold Body, listening to the rumors of the eunuch's words, and remained as still as a mountain.
"Is this what the palace says?"
"Sir, this is how it is passed down." The eunuch nodded hurriedly.
"Someone is adding fuel to the flames." Zhu Cunqu put down his pen and suddenly realized something in his heart.
He thought of Zhu Mou's actions in these days, bold, unbridled, and arbitrary. These are the characteristics of a powerful minister, and he gradually matched them.
Shaking his head, Zhu Cunqu left the study, looked at the carp swimming in the spring, and felt for a moment:
"The position of chief minister cannot be fought for. It can only be the dictatorship of the Sacred Heart."
Thinking of this, he felt that Zhu Mou would not last long, and his position as chief assistant would not last long.
Of the three remaining members of the cabinet, who will take office?
…
Taiwan Prefecture, Changhua County.
Since the establishment of the prefecture, the population of Taiwan Prefecture has been increasing, and most of them come from the southern Fujian area. Therefore, the Fujian dialect is mostly popular in Taiwan Prefecture.
Nowadays, there are six prefectures in Taiwan, with senior officials in charge, followed by Penghu County where the navy is located, and Tamsui County and Jilong County in the north.
The Chianan Plain is an important grain producing area and Chiayi County with sugarcane orchards.
And going deeper inland, Changhua County was established to annex the Dadu Kingdom.
Moreover, the Taiwan government received the exclusive care of the imperial court, allowing people from vassal states such as Western Barbarians, Korea, and Japan to settle freely, and implemented a free model in business.
This has led to the rapid economic development of Taiwan. The annual tax paid by one government is two million, which is no less than that of a province.
The economy has promoted immigration. Today, Taiwan's six counties have 350,000 households and a population of nearly 2 million, with an average of about 300,000 people per county. Even in mainland China, it is an outstanding county.
The oil and water supply was so high that it became a place that everyone in Fujian's officialdom coveted.
In a mountain forest in Changhua County.
An agile figure wandered among the trees, as if he were playing at home, extremely familiar.
Behind him, several hunters holding bows and arrows, holding dog leashes, chased him non-stop.
"Brother, why don't you let Dahei chase you?"
The young boy with a childish face and pimples on his face looked puzzled: "Da Hei is so fierce, I can only knock him down."
"Fart." The man next to him was naked from the waist up, showing his dark skin and muscles. He was holding the dog leash tightly.
"This savage is so cunning, Dahei chased him, but the keeper was killed by a poisonous arrow, so we had no choice but to chase him -"
The young man suddenly realized.
"Hehe, I heard that a wild slave costs five yuan. If we catch one, we can collect enough as a gift..."
The two brothers walked together, wearing simple leather covers made of wild boar skin, leading dogs, carrying bows on their backs, and holding guns.
The young man being chased in front had oil paint on his face, feathers in his mouth, a poisonous quiver in his mouth, and a bow on his back. He was walking through the dense forest and was scratched by branches. He looked extremely embarrassed.
But he didn't dare to stop at all. His ears moved as if he saw the water flowing. He rushed straight away, jumped into the stream and washed away the smell.
Feeling that the pursuit was approaching, he smeared himself with river mud and went into the dense forest again.
"You bastard, you're a disgrace." The two brothers couldn't help but cursed when they saw the footsteps on the other side of the river beach.
Without the tracking of hounds, being in the dense forest is equivalent to death.
The young man returned to the dense forest in embarrassment and came to a small valley, where more than a dozen families lived, all descendants of the Dadu Kingdom.
The Dadu Kingdom is a tribal alliance. Some tribes surrendered to the Ming Dynasty and became registered residents and needed to pay taxes.
Those who refused to surrender moved to the quilt and east to avoid the eyes of the Han people.
There are also some people who are reluctant to leave their hometown and remain in the local area, living in seclusion in the mountains and forests.
These people lacked living materials, so they were accustomed to stealing and killing. They became a factor of instability and were hated by many farmers. The government also issued official documents to lure hunters to capture them.
"Leopard, you're back!"
As soon as he arrived at the village, the sentry hiding in the dark noticed his whereabouts and was busy saying hello.
Immediately, everyone gathered around and looked at him expectantly.
The young man lived up to his expectations and opened the bamboo tube on his waist. Gray-black salt appeared in front of them, about a pound.
Everyone brought wooden bowls, one for each family, and distributed them equally to each family, fairly and equitably.
Both men and women, old and young, all showed happy smiles.
In the mountains and forests, the most scarce thing is salt.
Because it is close to the sea, the most indispensable thing in Taiwan is salt. Every household of the Han people has salt, which promotes their theft.
In addition, they often need medicinal materials, ironware, cloth, etc.
Young Leopard was happy to see everyone and smiled: "Let's eat barbecue!"
"no!"
At this time, a big man wearing deerskin came over and said: "There are more and more Han ghosts recently. We have to stay hidden. It's not too late to eat at night."
Everyone showed regret, but no one dared to raise an objection.
Only by uniting can everyone survive.
Leopard followed the big man, his steps were brisk, but his eyebrows were furrowed.
"What's wrong, Leopard?"
"Father, it's getting more and more dangerous here."
Leopard raised his head and said seriously: "The Han people are very defensive and have many dogs. It is getting harder and harder to carry things."
"A lot of the land nearby has been reclaimed, and there are too many Han people. We can't hide for long."
"What do you want?"
The big man arrived at home, sat on a wooden stake, and carefully placed the salt in the bowl.
"Migrate." Leopard raised his head and said, "Or surrender to the Han people."
"impossible."
"But the Han people have houses, cattle, and salt, and their lives are much better than ours..."
Leopard said hurriedly, but his father stopped him: "Let's move!"
"There are many people of the same kind to the east. It will be safe to follow their path."
"However, although we are all from the Dadu Kingdom, our tribes are different and our totems are also different. They will be as greedy as the Han people and annex us."
Leopard emphasized: "And if we submit to the Han people, we can live together and have the same surname and totem..."
"No--" Father rejected this suggestion again.
Leopard is unwilling to give up.
When they came to the open space, young men of the same age as him gathered together and discussed salt and the Han people.
Everyone longs for not being hungry in winter, having salt to eat, and comfortable clothes to wear, instead of hiding around and stealing for a living like today.
Leopard witnessed all this.
At night, his father, the leader of the tribe, Dahu fell seriously ill and no witch could save him.
Died soon after.
The next day, he became the tribe leader.
As the leader of the clan, Leopard announced that he would go down the mountain and join the Han people to end this poor life.
The young people all supported him, but some old people were unwilling to give in.
But there is no choice but to follow the general trend.
Changhua County Government.
"Winter is coming, and more and more savages are coming down the mountain."
The magistrate looked at the numbers on the book and couldn't help but curl up his lips with pride.
In just half a month, more than 400 savages surrendered, directly creating five villages.
As for land, there is no shortage of it in Taiwan. Each household has been allocated 100 acres of wasteland for them to cultivate on their own, tax-free for five years.
The staff on the side said: "Dong Weng, our Changhua County is nearly two hundred miles from north to south and one hundred miles from east to west. It has a vast territory and nearly 200,000 household registrations. This is all due to you!"
(End of chapter)