Chapter 44: Guo Huan, a capable official
He Xi's intention was very simple.
For someone like Wang Zhong, who is involved in official circles, there is nothing tactful about it, and it can even be said to be very, very straightforward. Wang Zhong almost forced the palace to express his position.
But Wang Zhong couldn't say it.
Quite simply, the two have worked together for many years. Wang Zhong is also in charge of Zhejiang Criminal Law. If Guo Huan didn't get rid of Wang Zhong, how could his corruption career be so big? Wang Zhong took advantage of a lot of what Guo Huan did.
Guo Huan's black material is Wang Zhong's black material.
How could he say it.
He was very corrupt in promoting the crown prince, but he was even more afraid of His Majesty's butcher's knife. What he can decide now is not to report Guo Huan's dirty information. Instead, he defended Guo Huan.
Wang Zhongyi said righteously: "Master Guo is a capable official. When he took office in Hangzhou, his governance behavior was the best in the world. The court's food tax has never been in arrears. The people look up to him like their parents."
When He Xi heard what Wang Zhong said, he immediately remembered what the prince had said before.
It seems that the prince also has foresight. I am very clear-headed and know that these so-called own people are actually relying on their status as the prince's disciples to seek glory and wealth. It cannot be said that there are no people who are truly loyal to themselves, but there are not many. Most of them are those who are rich and famous.
If you have milk, you are a mother.
It would be silly if He Xi didn't know that Wang Zhong was already Guo Huan's accomplice at this moment.
He Xi's eyes turned cold, she slightly raised her lips and gave Wang Zhong a passionate fake smile. Said: "Really? In other words, Mr. Guo Huanguo has no shortcomings at all?"
Wang Zhong coughed twice and said: "It's not that there is nothing. It's just that I am a little more focused on fame."
The strange look on He Xi's face has passed, and she smiled slightly, like an old friend, and said: "This is human nature. In fact, the prince asked me to come here this time." At this moment, He Xi has returned to normal. He poured tea for Wang Zhong with a smile and said: "We are all our own people, so I won't talk nonsense. In fact, I came here this time because of the prince's wishes. You know about the conquest of King Liang."
Wang Zhong picked up the teacup respectfully and said, "I've heard about it."
He Xi said: "Your Majesty has worked hard for ten years to clear the desert for the Northern Expedition. The conquest of Liang Wang was the prelude to the Northern Expedition to the Puppet Yuan Dynasty. Although there was abundant food and grass in various places, after Hu Ni's case, none of the high officials in the DPRK dared to take office. , the major event of the Northern Expedition. It is so important. Your Majesty needs officials who can do things, dare to do things, and have talents in terms of money and food. They should take on this important task. Since there are no officials in the court, we should choose them from the local areas."
"It's not just me. The secretary Lang who went to Beijing this time all holds this important position."
"This matter needs to be kept secret. Mr. Wang is one of our own, so it's okay to know, but you must not tell anyone. However, who does Guo Huan belong to?"
Wang Zhong said: "Guo Huan is from Jiangxi. However, he often associates with famous Confucian scholars in western Zhejiang, and often treats him as master and disciple. He has little progress in learning, but he is good at official affairs. I think Guo Huan can take on this responsibility."
"We can't decide this kind of thing." He Xi said, "However, I will report today's matter truthfully. Please make your decision, Your Highness. Mr. Wang, please remember that this matter must not be spread."
Wang Zhong said: "The lower officials know the importance."
The conversation ends here.
He Xi got up and saw Wang Zhong off. After coming back, he poured himself a large bowl of herbal tea and drank it all in one gulp to relieve the anger in his stomach. Then he threw aside the list given by the prince. It seems to be of no use anymore.
However, it is not without some gains.
There is one thing to gain, and that is Zhejiang West Group.
At the beginning of the founding of the Ming Dynasty, there was a battle between the Huaixi Group and the Zhexi Group, and Liu Bowen's death may have been an important part of it. But the reason why the centipede worm is dead but not stiff is not because Liu Bowen died and the Zhejiang West Group completely disappeared.
it's out of the question. Why is there Zhexi Group? This is because after Zhu Yuanzhang captured Nanjing, he first launched the Eastern Expedition and captured several prefectures and counties in western Zhejiang from the Yuan Dynasty. The humanities in the south of the Yangtze River are far superior to those in the north of the Yangtze River. Because of this, a large number of scribes from western Zhejiang entered Zhu Yuanzhang's group. Even if Zhu Yuanzhang secures more territory in the future, the first-mover advantage of the literati in western Zhejiang is not so easy to shake.
Guo Huan was able to bring Zhejiang into a monolithic state. Historically, Guo Huan's case even involved all the chief ministers in the world. Guo Huan couldn't do it without some means and connections.
He Xi secretly thought: "It's a direction. I think Tang Shengzong will definitely help me."
The reason why Tang Shengzong is what he is today is because Tang Shengzong belongs to the Huaixi Group. The two sides are mortal enemies.
Suddenly, He Xi seemed to understand why Zhu Yuanzhang changed the amount of more than 20 million shi in Guo Huan's case to 7 million shi. After the case was concluded, he killed the presiding judge. From this perspective, I suddenly understood a lot.
He Xi seemed to see a storm and was about to start it.
but. He Xi was not afraid. He was angry, and he even felt a little relaxed in his heart. There is no other reason.
From Guo Huan, it is proved that the Ming Dynasty is the Ming Dynasty. It is the Ming Dynasty in history. Rather than some unknown parallel space. This gave He Xi a sense of security. Otherwise, his most important golden finger will be useless.
Although the matter before him was difficult, it was by no means unmanageable, but if it involved fate, different parallel spaces, and other illusory concepts, He Xi had no choice.
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"Did he really say that?" Guo Huan hesitated.
Wang Zhong said: "It's absolutely true."
Guo Huan shook his head and said, "I always feel something is wrong."
He Xi is also somewhat quick-witted. He saw something was wrong with Wang Zhong and started talking nonsense. Although it was nonsense, it was definitely not nonsense.
The Hu Weiyong case left Ming Dynasty’s top officials in a state of despair. This is a fact.
It is also true that the emperor and even the prince have promoted talents from all over the years to fill the vacancies.
It is also true that Ming Dynasty faced two wars at the same time.
It is also true that the current Minister of Household Affairs is somewhat old and unfit for use. Since the 13th year of Hongwu, people have been replaced many times.
Even the imperial court may not have had the idea of selecting local officials to join the Ministry of Household Affairs. After all, in history, Guo Huan became the Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs in a few years, and even served as the Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs for a time, which was the path he took.
But He Xi didn't come to Hangzhou because of this incident.
Therefore, although Guo Huan was shrewd, he was also confused for a while. This can be regarded as human nature. People naturally prefer good news. Will question some bad news, but will not question some good news. Therefore, although Guo Huan felt that something was wrong.
But I can’t say what’s wrong.
Wang Zhong also felt that something was wrong with He Xi at that time. I just don’t want to think too much about it. He would rather believe this fact.
Because the news He Xi brought to him was so wonderful.
Wang Zhong boarded Guo Huan's ship not voluntarily. But what he said was useless. I can only pray that this incident will never come to light. It is true that Wang Zhong was grateful to the prince for his knowledge and support. But I also understand that in the Ming Dynasty, especially in the Hongwu Dynasty, there was no glory and wealth in being an official.
It's true that he can't stop sugar-coated bullets.
His greatest wish was to enjoy the prince's support and political future while receiving dividends from Guo Huan. Bringing countless gold and silver.
He Xi suddenly came to investigate Guo Huan, and the most nervous person was Wang Zhong.
It's been raining now and the sky has cleared up after the rain. Everything is back on track and the situation is great. This is what Wang Zhong looks forward to most.
However, Guo Huan is not that easy to fool. Said: "No matter what, there is nothing wrong with being careful. Even if it is a real promotion. You also know that the more critical the period, the more people will stumble. He Xi is a self-proclaimed person. The previous methods of dealing with Shangguan cannot be used. We can only do business on business.”
"Have you not found Jin Yiwei's spy yet?"
Wang Zhong said: "No. Maybe there are no spies from Jinyiwei at all?"
Wang Zhong has never thought about one thing. He is an inspector, responsible for the punishment of a province, and his officials are all local snakes. The information is certainly well-informed. But after all, I am not an intelligence major. Moreover, Jinyiwei may have fewer operations elsewhere, but the two sides of the Yangtze River centered on Nanjing are prosperous places. But it is also the headquarters of Jinyiwei.
Many of the people he sent to search were hidden targets of Jin Yiwei. How could he possibly catch Jin Yiwei's tail.
Guo Huan said: "No matter what, He Xi will be searched every day he is in Hangzhou. He cannot be taken with him."
In fact, Guo Huan secretly sent someone to look for him. It's just that the chief envoy is responsible for money and food. In this matter, he is not as easy as the inspector. Therefore, he can only rely on Wang Zhong.
Wang Zhong said: "Okay, okay, okay. However, since the court has this idea, why don't you send someone to the capital to walk around. After all, the opportunity must not be missed before it comes back."
Guo Huan's eyes seemed to be shining, and he immediately calmed down. Said: "I know, but let's do the things in front of us first."
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In the next few days, He Xi looked at all the account books in Hangzhou in a businesslike manner, and then inspected the granaries and bank vaults in Hangzhou one by one.
Guo Huan accompanied the whole process and looked businesslike.
It's just that He Xi thought of many ways, made a sudden inspection, and temporarily changed the route. After the inspection, they inspected again a few days later and even selected warehouses to watch with their own eyes as the grain was emptied. But no matter how it changes, it will change. All failed one by one.
The chief minister of Hangzhou made one-to-one correspondence between all accounts and the treasury. Even the inventory consumption is very small and suppressed to an extremely low level.
Many people don't know that even if food is placed in a warehouse, it is consumed. If transported, the consumption will be even greater.
If Guo Huan can do his job well, he can always suppress this kind of consumption. Needless to say, he must be a capable minister when it comes to money and food. I dare not say that he is compared with Xiao He, but it is more than enough to be the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue.
However, there is another explanation. That's a scam in and of itself.
He Xi didn't know how Guo Huan's tricks changed. But he knew that since it was a trick, it was also a lie. Then of course you can fill in whatever numbers you want. Perhaps Guo Huanzhen saved it and recommended him to become an official in the court in case he was selected.
Only by force did he achieve such good results.
