The prefect was dismissed. For the consideration of the imperial court, Nanjing was an important place in the country and people could not be sent easily. Therefore, it was necessary to discuss it in Zhongshuo, so that Wan Heshun would know the affairs of Nanjing and control one side. But for him, serving as the prefect is definitely not a good thing, which means that he has to face Wei Huai and others who make him tired. The prince was already a little worried, but today something happened again, which made him even more upset.
Sihe Academy also lifted its ban on this day and started recruiting students again, as prosperous as ever. Wei Huai heard Xia Yuanlong's story about Cai Xianqing risking his life to save him, so he deeply missed his love and sent a letter with fifty taels of silver to Cai Xianqing's apartment. Actor Cai did not dare to accept it for fear of arousing the suspicion of the prince, so he only kept the letter and sent all the money back.
Wei Huai accepted the money and sighed with Yang and Xia: "I originally thought Mr. Cai was an actor. He must be a man who works in secret, takes bribes, and doesn't bother to talk to him. Who would have thought that he would take his life regardless of reward?" I really don’t know that he still has such a generous heart." Although Xia Yuanlong knew that Cai Xianqing did this to avoid disaster, he refused to point it out for fear of damaging Wei Huai's face, so he just said "yes"; he looked at it Taking a look at Yang Huaisheng, I felt a little relieved when I saw that he didn't expect this.
Their new policy spread quickly inside and outside the city, and the people were also happy to defend the new law. However, the opinions of the government were still unshakable and stubborn, so the new law was still at a loss and there was no way to start. Wei Huai was extremely troubled. Remembering that Xia Yuanlong was always calm and alert, he went to ask for his opinion.
Xia Yuanlong said without hesitation: "There is no need to rush for results for the people. We need to discuss it slowly. I think we should propose a law that is easier to implement and submit a letter to the court for a ruling. This will not embarrass the government and make the people see it quickly." As a result, if there are any disadvantages, it can be easily changed in time, and the advance and retreat are flexible." Wei Huai was deeply convinced, so he adopted his plan, considering 'restraining the powerful' as the most important thing at the moment, so he petitioned Wan Wan to implement this policy in a gentle and obedient manner.
Naturally, King Wanjun could not agree easily. He originally wanted to manage Nanjing for a few years without causing any trouble to the emperor; but such a loyal and obedient prince encountered such an ignorant sacrificial wine, and he couldn't touch him. A terrible headache.
He knew that if he relaxed at this moment, he would not be able to curb this radical momentum. Therefore, he went to Sihe Academy to reply with an approval letter, saying: "I always think about the country, and I also deeply appreciate the idea of offering wine." However, all the officials in Nanjing have different opinions and will never give orders. Even though I am the chief, I dare not go out of my way to rule against all opinions and make decisions easily. I tell you from the bottom of my heart: You need to restrain your energy and stop talking about new policies in order to avoid this embarrassing situation. '
Wei Huai saw that Lord Wan still did not change his mind, so he replied: "I respectfully accept the approval from the prince and read it respectfully. It makes sense." However, when I was pregnant and receiving the salary from the court, I was always worried that I could not repay it, and I was always resentful. Now is the right time. We dare not sit down and have a simple meal, but strive to reform the government and save the people. If there is anyone among the officials who resists and refuses to comply, please ask the prince to send him to the place where he will discuss the law with me in the academy until one of the parties is speechless, then the decision will be made. I hope the king of the county can come up with strategies and don't look down on people's expectations. '
Seeing that Wei Huai was so stubborn, Wan Heshun had no choice but to laugh slightly bitterly. The Censor of the Metropolitan Procuratorate was present at the time, and when he saw this letter, he couldn't help but sneered: "Wei Jijiu is a good man, but it's a pity that he doesn't have a bright mind!"
"How do you say this?" Wan Heshun put down the letter and turned around to ask.
"Your Majesty, we all entered the imperial examination and became officials. Our words and sentences are naturally first-rate. Not to mention that we have been in the officialdom for a long time and have written tens of thousands of memorials. We must be able to speak well. Although Wei Huai was also a Jinshi, he was suspected of having his father's name; Xia Yuanlong was a scholar. "Yang Huaisheng has never been in charge of government affairs, let alone has no ability; Yang Huaisheng has no real name, he has only read a few volumes of classics, and he was appointed as a general person." The censor said in a very contemptuous tone.
"Then the censor..."
The censor smiled extremely confidently: "Let's have an eloquent argument with him and make the three of them lose face and give up any idea of reform long ago!"
"If you can't argue, then..."
The censor shook his head firmly: "To tell the king, this is absolutely impossible!" As he spoke, he gently blew off a tiny hair that fell on the back of his hand.
At the suggestion of the censor, Wan Heshun sent five or six eloquent officials and summoned Wei Huai and three others to the Nanjing Imperial Palace Council Hall to discuss the new law. Wei Huai honored the appointment and went straight to the palace with Na Xia and Yang.
This was the first time in their lives that they saw the imperial palace in Nanjing. Although this palace was built by the previous dynasty and had been in disrepair for more than a hundred years, the tall and majestic palace with flying eaves and green tiles also shocked them.
The three of them got off their horses and approached the palace wall. They saw that the wall was more than a foot high and had no end in width. The earthen paint on the palace wall had fallen off and was riddled with holes, as if they had been bitten by insects. According to the official who led the way, this was because the emperor had not visited the south for a long time, so he did not do any renovations.
They walked through the Meridian Gate and arrived in front of the main hall. They climbed the stone steps from the green brick road in the middle and slowly approached the gate. The plaque used to be 'Wende Hall', but now it says 'Yi Zheng Hall'. The door of the palace was wide open, and there were two long tables on both sides of the palace, with ten chairs on each side. However, there were only five or six people wearing red robes, purple robes, gold belts and rhinoceros belts around their waists. They were stroking their beards and hair without getting angry. Ziwei; As soon as he saw Wei Huai arriving, several pairs of sharp eyes turned to him almost at the same time.
Wei Huai and the other three stepped into the palace gate. They calmly bowed to the officials on the left and right, and then Wei Huai spoke: "My surname is Wei, and my name is Huai. I have met all of you on a daily basis, so there is no need to say more." Explained."
"That's right," the Imperial Censor of the Metropolitan Procuratorate spoke first, "Then please take a seat!"
The three of them walked to the table and sat down.
"How to start arguing?" asked a minister of the Ministry of Etiquette, twirling the ring on his hand.
"Let me first talk about the good governance we need to implement." Wei Huai said, "My lords, local tyranny is the most stubborn problem in Nanjing. You should all understand. Some of them are from scholarly families, and some are local clans with many fields and vast territory. , all relied on their deep roots in Nanjing, and used them to blackmail the officials and find jobs for their children. The government did not dare to restrain them, which caused the wealthy families to annex land, use law-breaking things to enrich themselves, and the people suffered deeply. If the two ethnic groups are not harmonious, , quarreling openly and secretly, causing trouble and crowding out at every turn, and even causing the government to be discordant and disloyal, how can we manage the situation like this!"
"It's done, is it?" the censor asked calmly.
"yes."
"Then let me ask you: have you seen it with your own eyes?" The censor realized that he had hit the mark and looked around at the others.
"If there is no real evidence, wouldn't it just be a boast? I grew up in the Wei family. In the past, I had many friends with aristocratic families. Some people would buy an official position for their children. If the number of officials was full, the government would be notified to abolish them. The reputation of a redundant official will leave the poor family out. Adults can go to the Ministry of Personnel to examine the past documents. There are many ways to eliminate redundant officials."
The censor remained silent for a moment and looked at the people around him with an embarrassed expression. Fortunately, the man who was the minister of the Ministry of Rites in Nanjing suddenly stood up.
