Capital, in the imperial palace of Qianqing.
Zhu Youtang called all the four eunuchs, Si Li, and told them about the mining in Yongping Mansion.
"...As far as I know, among the officials and gentry near the capital, there are prejudices against Bingkuan's use of mining kilns to increase the court's expenses, and burning coal, smelting iron, and casting cannons. From people in the court to those in the palace, There are many people involved in this matter.”
Zhu Youtang regarded this as a warning to these four people.
Before Zhang Zhou opened the mine, there had been repeated bans on local mining. Mining is something that ordinary officials are not qualified to do. Without a background in the court, even a local official would have to deal with this kind of thing. Tail.
The four Directors and Supervisors of Ceremonies are the backers of many people in the local area. Zhu Youtang has heard of them to some extent before, but Zhu Youtang always protects his shortcomings and provides some benefits to those around him, which is okay in Zhu Youtang's opinion.
Li Rong said: "Your Majesty, things are going well for the local government. I am afraid that some of the important ministers in Beijing may have interests that are involved with the local government."
The conflict shifted to the ministers of the DPRK and China.
Zhu Youtang said in a leisurely tone: "No one can hinder my ideal of revitalizing the Ming Dynasty. This is my lifelong wish. Bingkuan is not seeking profit for himself, he is doing everything for me and the Ming Dynasty. Therefore, I have also decided that anyone who hinders his implementation of affairs at the local level will be severely punished!"
Xiao Jing asked: "Your Majesty, how severe is this punishment...?"
"kill!"
Zhu Youtang's tone was firm, "If there is no obstruction despite my repeated orders, but someone still deliberately creates trouble, do I want to keep him here for the New Year? Do you think I'm easy to talk to, or do you think I'm easy to bully?"
Xiao Jing took two steps back dejectedly and fell silent.
"Let the people from Jinyiwei investigate and find out that they are doing it one by one. In the past few years, Yongping Mansion has privately purchased land, seized farmland, and reclaimed wasteland without reporting it to the court. How many acres of land are there around the capital? Are you paying taxes? All the money and food in the Ming government treasury were emptied by these people in disguise!"
Zhu Youtang was very annoyed.
The Ming Dynasty's preferential treatment of the gentry class, especially the preferential treatment of land taxation, led to a shortage of money and grain income in the Ming Dynasty's treasury, and the area around the capital was the hardest hit area.
Not to mention the relatives of the emperor, princes and ministers, this group of people owns many farms and properties around the capital. They take advantage of their relationship with the court and do not pay a penny to the court on matters such as land and business. What is even worse is that the supporters of this group of people, as well as the juren who originally had few tax-free acres, also occupy too much land that does not pay taxes.
In the Ming Dynasty, it didn't mean that if you passed the exam, you would not have to pay taxes on the unlimited land in your name, but at the implementation level, anyone with connections between the DPRK and China could get "accommodation."
Xiao Jing, the four eunuchs, had never thought that the emperor would take this matter to task before, but now they know that the emperor is not as closed-minded or as reasonable as they imagined. .
This seemingly benevolent and righteous emperor was more aware of everything than any other emperor when he became strict, which also made them feel even more stressed.
After the internal summons of the Supervisor of Ceremonies, Zhu Youtang left Li Rong alone and gave detailed instructions about the factory guards cooperating with Zhang Zhou to open the mine.
Especially when it comes to disputes with local governments, according to Zhu Youtang's point of view, if anyone does not cooperate or makes trouble, he will use the knife. He does not ask for killing to make a warning to others, but kills each one. Only in this way can he ensure that he can level the grassland. The plan can be accomplished.
The remaining three people, led by Xiao Jing, returned to the room of the Supervisor of Ceremonies.
"Eunuch Xiao, look..." Wei Bin looked a little embarrassed.
Among the interest relationships around the capital, Wei Bin was a special figure, because his interest relationships in the east, especially Jizhou Town and Liaodong Town, were the most complicated, and Wei Bin also had interests with those royal relatives.
Xiao Jing said: "Except for your own, other people's things that can be broken have been broken long ago."
"I'm afraid that the bones are broken but the tendons are still attached." Wei Bin didn't want to explain too much, but this sentence also told Xiao Jing that he couldn't get away if he wanted to.
The interests involved are too complicated, and others will
He acts as a backer, and in addition to giving benefits, those people are actually threatening these eunuchs in disguise. Do you think you can get away if you want to? What was given to you before was given to you in vain?
Ordinary local officials and gentry are not afraid of you, the ceremonial supervisor, and the eunuch, but are you afraid of relatives of the emperor? You don’t give face to the ministers of the DPRK and China?
Xiao Jing frowned and said, "I've said it before, don't look away when someone else brings it to you, you just don't listen. Now that His Majesty can't rub the sand out of his eyes, aren't you numbing your paws? You can't even take back the hand you stretched out. not easy."
Wei Bin and Chen Kuan both cursed in their hearts, and said, "What about us? How can your own situation get better?"
Chen Kuan said: "If you have someone like me, it's hard to say no to someone like me."
Xiao Jing turned his face away and said with a hateful attitude: "Put something here, you take it, no one else knows, but you have to have so many contacts with local people, how can this be good?" Where to go? But I think the factory guards are all our people, so even if we go to the Court of Justice, nothing will happen."
Chen Kuan reminded again: "I'm just afraid of that Duke Cai..."
The implication is that Zhang Zhou is now a bit incompatible with the local government for his own interests. If Zhang Zhou makes trouble and finds out that many people in the local government actually have them as their backers, and if they want to break up with each other, the emperor will They must be on Zhang Zhou's side, even if they are the eunuchs and eunuchs in charge of rituals, they will be in trouble.
Wei Bin asked tentatively: "When the interests are at stake, we can advance or retreat, but I am afraid that we will be on the verge of life and death and there will be no retreat."
This is why I want to ask Xiao Jing about his next step.
In their previous dealings with Zhang Zhou, they mostly compromised and surrendered. Seeing that Zhang Zhou had reached the point where no one could challenge his status, it was tantamount to their connivance to create a tiger, but if this tiger wanted to take the opportunity to kill them all. After being eaten, should I wait to be eaten, or should I stand up and resist?
Xiao Jing said: "From what our family has seen, this Cai Guogong is not someone who wants to kill everyone."
Wei Bin shook his head and said, "He doesn't seem to be merciful when it comes to Duke Bao. If it's about his own interests, and His Majesty's decision is behind it, there's no guarantee that he won't be willful."
Xiao Jing scolded: "To say that you don't open your eyes, you really don't have any awareness at all. Don't think about it, do you still want to succeed in what His Majesty wants to do? Is the trend irreversible by you?"
Wei Bin and Chen Kuan understood it as soon as they heard it.
Xiao Jing here looks tough, but in fact he is also a soft persimmon. After being bullied by Zhang Zhou, he still chose to compromise, and the banner was to put the emperor's order first, which means that the emperor supports Zhang Zhou, so we can't follow him He did it.
"You should still send someone to make peace." Chen Kuan gave a suggestion, "Or...it's best not to involve people like us. Those few taels of silver don't matter, but many things never matter to those few taels. Silver! No matter how great Duke Cai is, he can’t mess around."
Xiao Jing said: "Your Majesty has previously summoned Mou Bin, the commander of the Jinyi Guards. According to what he said, your Majesty will send someone to coordinate with Cai Guogong, so he will give us a message to show his goodwill. As long as he does not make things worse. He just wants to rectify the local people in Yongping Mansion, and we just support him."
As he said that, Xiao Jing looked at Wei Bin and said, "You won't be reluctant, right?"
Wei Bin has the greatest interests in Yongping Mansion. Xiao Jing also wants to ask Wei Bin's opinion. You proposed to break the pot and even had the urge to fight Zhang Zhouyu to death. You will not have any objection to my proposal. Bar?
Wei Bin looked reluctant, but he still cupped his hands and said, "It all depends on Eunuch Xiao."
In the Qianqing Palace.
Li Rong listened carefully to Zhu Youtang's instructions on how to cooperate with Zhang Zhou. At this time, the Director of Ceremonies and others were able to confirm that Zhang Zhou was not going to fight in Jizhou Town, but To snatch profits from local forces.
"I also know that someone in the palace is spreading rumors to the outside world and leaking what Bingkuan is going to do in Yongping Mansion in advance. He even informed the local authorities in advance and asked them to take some precautions. Do you know?" Zhu Youtang's tone was cold.
This involves collusion between internal ministers and foreign ministers, and the emperor is very taboo about these things.
Li Rong was also secretly shocked. He could count the number of eunuchs who knew what Zhang Zhou was doing in Yongping Mansion in advance. Most of them came from the mouths of the three previous colleagues.
Li Rongdao: "I don't know, but I guess... Cai Guogong's intention in going to Yongping Mansion, I guess... no one should want to take the opportunity to cause trouble... I made a mistake."
Although Li Rong understands the principle of being wise and protecting oneself, at this time, he also knows that the eunuchs and eunuchs should advance and retreat together, or in other words, they should work together.
Zhu Youtang said coldly: "If everything goes smoothly at the local level, I don't have any objection. There is no need to hide what Bingkuan is going to do wherever he goes. But I only found out recently that it turns out that when it comes to mining, the local government The resistance I encountered was greater than in the capital. Bingkuan has secretly shouldered too many things for me! I can no longer let him bear it alone!"
Li Rong said: "Your Majesty, I will ask people to go to the local area to conduct a strict investigation. If someone takes the opportunity to cause trouble, I will not spare it."
Zhu Youtang turned his head to one side and said even more angrily: "If it's just a local opinion, it's not a big deal, but I'm afraid that the officials in the capital, the local officials, and the local squires will work together to help Bingkuan." Pressure! Since Bingkuan took over the mining matter, there have been not a thousand memorials to the DPRK asking for participation in the impeachment, but there have been more than a hundred, right?"
Li Rong was silent now.
He was very aware of the resistance Zhang Zhou encountered in the court. It was something that must be encountered if he was determined to innovate. The so-called "no destruction, no establishment" was probably like this. However, Zhang Zhou was unable to "break", that is, to reshuffle the Ming forces. But the emperor has this qualification.
"Go there in person." Zhu Youtang said, "If you want to deal with anyone strictly, you don't have to openly make enemies for Bingkuan. You can just find an obvious target. If it is reasonable and reasonable, you can take the factory guards to the end." Bingkuan Wherever the broad finger points, you can do it.”
You do the work, you take the blame, and Zhang Zhou just acts as a conductor from behind.
Li Rongxin said, I am an old man, but I want to go to a local place and fight with local snakes? The key is that I can't get any benefits yet. I'm just making wedding clothes for others, and I have to take the blame. Is my life so miserable?
"Leave today and arrive within three days without any delays on the way."
Zhu Youtang sneered and said, "If there are people in Beijing who put pressure on you, even if they are my closest relatives, you should report them as well. Sometimes you are not afraid of killing them first and reporting them later!"
Li Rong received the emperor's order and was about to take people to Yongping Mansion.
Mou Bin, commander of the Jin Yiwei, will accompany Li Rong.
When Li Rong arrived in Fusi, Jinyiwei North Town in a hurry, he met Mou Bin. At this time, Mou Bin seemed to be confused about the errand of this trip.
"Eunuch Li, from my humble position, I know that the mines in Yongping Prefecture have soldiers from the Ming Dynasty's capital camp, and there are at least thousands of garrison troops. Plus the laborers and laborers who work, there are tens of thousands of people, right? Do you still need me for this? What are you going to do?"
Mu Bin thought, even if Zhang Zhou encounters trouble in local mining, with so many people working in the mine, and even regular troops, how can he still be afraid of a ball?
If someone makes trouble, just confront them directly.
Why do we need to ask the factory owner of Dongchang and the commander of Jinyiwei to personally lead people to supervise the matter?
Li Rongdao: "You don't understand. Your Majesty wants to convince people with virtue."
"What?" Mou Bin almost thought he heard wrongly.
It is clear that force is used, but it is said that virtue is used to convince people, which means... force is virtue?
"Your Majesty wants me to make enemies and Cai Guogong be a good person. Can you understand this?" Li Rong said.
Mou Bin smiled bitterly.
While he was talking, Guo Ang, the envoy of Fusi Town in Beizhen, came in with a group of people and stood at the entrance of the main hall.
Mou Bin said: "Everyone has ordered."
"Is this a person?" Li Rong frowned.
He almost said, since we are here to take the blame and do the work, we should bring more people with us. Anyway, it is the emperor's order, so it is not an exaggeration to bring all the Jin Yiwei with us.
Mou Bin hurriedly said: "Two thousand-household camps, two thousand men and horses, all included. If recruitment is needed, the local inspection department and others can also provide assistance. There was originally a thousand-household camp of Jinyiwei in Yongping Prefecture.
, Sun Shangqi has been stationed in Yongping Mansion and has not left. If that's not enough..."
"That should be enough."
When Li Rong heard this, he ordered three thousand Jinyi guards to go. If this was not enough, it would be pure nonsense.
Even if the Tatar regular army comes, three thousand people can do something, not to mention that this time they will face at most some local private armed forces.
This is still the worst case scenario. If it were a little normal, no one in the local area would dare to face him as a direct enemy of Dongchangchang.
"Persuade people with reason as much as possible. Don't do anything that offends people unless you have to." Li Rong instructed.
Mou Bin asked: "Would it be contrary to His Majesty's instructions...?"
Li Rong said coldly: "Our family listens to Your Majesty, but you can listen to our family! Just do whatever you are told!"
"Yes." Mou Bin heard that Eunuch Li also had the intention of being obedient and submissive. At this time, he did not dare to say anything. After all, he was tied to the same boat now.
Zhang Zhouren had been stationed in Santun Camp in Jizhou Town for only two days, and he was about to leave with his people.
Liu Yu has been very attentive to Zhang Zhou in the past two days. Even though he knew that Zhang Zhou was not interested in drinking, sex and wealth, he still kept sending his "feelings" to the post house, fighting and losing. Fighting repeatedly, even a little bit of fun.
It seems that Zhang Zhou will be impressed by his "sincerity".
On the day Zhang Zhou was about to leave, Liu Yu personally came to see Zhang Zhou off and specifically requested to speak to Zhang Zhou alone.
In Zhang Zhou's room, Liu Yu took out several letters and respectfully presented them to Zhang Zhou.
"What does Liu Zhongcheng mean by this?" Zhang Zhou asked.
Liu Yu said respectfully: "Before Zhang Butang arrived, many people in Yongping Prefecture secretly wrote letters, hoping that the lower officials would take the lead and jointly impeach Zhang Butang with the ministers of the DPRK and China, so that you could turn over the local mines. Leave it all to the local government."
Zhang Zhou pretended to be curious and said: "These people really care about the local government. Is it for the people's livelihood or to increase the income of the imperial treasury?"
Liu Yu said with an embarrassed look: "Of course it is for their own benefit. Even if it is handed over to local officials, the officials are all drifters. They are the only ones who have an iron-clad camp. Since the founding of the Ming Dynasty, many descendants of meritorious ministers have , all live in the surrounding area, and they have a great influence on the local area."
"Really?" Zhang Zhou said with a smile, "It seems that I have touched someone else's cheese."
"Um?"
Liu Yu couldn't understand what Zhang Zhou meant.
Zhang Zhou asked, "Why did Liu Zhongcheng tell me this?"
Liu Yu said: "Xiaoguan is well aware that the situation behind the scenes is complicated. With your status, sometimes it is not convenient for you to come forward, especially if it offends people. I am willing to share your worries."
"That's really... haha." Zhang Zhou didn't know how to evaluate this enthusiastic governor.
Liu Yu gritted his teeth and said, "I have always believed that no matter what, I must put the emperor's order first and take the rise and fall of the Ming Dynasty as my own responsibility. It is rare to see a loyal minister like Zhang Butang who always thinks of His Majesty. I am willing to do my best." If I can do something for you, it will be considered as living up to the divine grace."
"Loyal minister." Zhang Zhou said these words with a smile. Everyone could see that there was still a slight derogatory meaning in his words.
But Liu Yu seemed to be deeply encouraged and said, "I wonder what I can do for Zhang Butang?"
Zhang Zhou said: "Liu Zhongcheng, you don't think that I came to Yongping Mansion just for the mine, right?"
"Uh..." Liu Yu was a little confused for a moment.
If you don't do it for the mine, why do you do it for the other side?
Zhang Zhou said: "You should also know that the imperial court has established the official position of governor of the Bohai Sea, and Yongping Mansion is close to the sea, which happens to be the Bohai Sea... I want to open a shipyard here to echo the shipyards in the south."
"This..." Liu Yu felt that his brain was not enough.
Are you kidding me? Fool me?
You don't want to mine, but want to build ships?
Zhang Zhou continued: "There are too few people in the local area who can cooperate with me. If you, Liu Zhongcheng, are willing to help me, I think this should be a charitable act."
"But I, my official, don't know anything about Bohai shipping and other matters." Liu Yu didn't rely on him now. If he is not proficient, he is not proficient.
And don’t cause trouble for yourself.
Zhang Zhou said: "That's a pity! But it doesn't matter. As long as the local governments cooperate more and let them have the money and strength to help me get this done, then I can share some of the interests of the mine with them." It’s also acceptable. But I’m just... afraid that they won’t cooperate.”
Liu Yu was also a little surprised.
Zhang Butang, who had never said harsh words before, would actually take the initiative to make peace with the local government?
Not unusual!
Could there be a bigger conspiracy behind it?
