Chapter 46: He Xi’s Cabinet Candidates
Not everyone is convinced by He Xi's judgment. But He Xi had already made his attitude clear, so naturally no one came up to say anything.
Yang Shiqi asked: "Sir, how many offices are you planning to set up under the cabinet?"
He Xi said: "First of all, Ministry of Finance, you are responsible for this matter. You are the chosen financial minister of the Ming Dynasty. You have an overview of the world's finances. The Ministry of Finance, the Customs Department, banks, money, grain and taxes are all in your hands. What are the financial settings? You just need to report them to me for several departments. For example, regarding food issues, food reserves will be very important for a long time to come. Regardless of whether taxes in kind are collected in the future, there will always be a large number of granaries. Here is one The question is, should we set up a separate grain department, or warehouse department? This is your business. You have to make a plan and report it to me."
Yang Shiqi's breath tightened after hearing this. Even though the city was so deep, he couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed at this moment.
Cabinet bachelor?
Regardless of whether they are in Nanjing or Beijing, they are both prime ministers. Yang Shiqi and He Xi are almost the same age, and they can reach such a high position. It is really unimaginable for Yang Shiqi. Admittedly, in the dead of night, Yang Shiqi was also reflecting on how likely Beijing was to win.
But now, the hesitation in his heart suddenly disappeared.
After all, if you want to reach this position in Nanjing, it will be impossible within a few decades. Even if it takes decades, it is impossible. After all, there are only a few positions, and it is normal for most people not to be able to ascend.
Now, He Xi has been handed over to him.
No matter for future or ideal, or both. Anyway, Yang Shiqi had no hesitation at all.
He Xi said: "Yang Zhen."
Yang Zhen said: "Sir."
He Xi said: "Industry and commerce are what I attach most importance to. I will leave this to you. Give me a plan. Here you go. All industrial and commercial matters will be left to you."
Yang Zhen is even more incredible than He Xi. He said: "Sir, I am just a down-and-out scholar with no official position. How can I hold such a high position? I will be laughed at by everyone in the world."
He Xi said: "Others don't know, how can I not know? There is no one in the world who is more suitable to be responsible for this than you."
He Xi actually didn't consider Yang Zhen's shortcomings. But the problem is that the talents in He Xi's hands are limited. Although He Xi has trained a lot of talents, it is not clear how many people can be used in the Imperial College in Beijing. But these people are still too young and can do just fine below, but it is impossible to truly understand He Xi's thinking and take charge of their own affairs.
There were not many people in He Xi's entourage who were loyal and understood the economy and industry and commerce. He Xi felt that Yang Zhen was the only one.
Yang Zhen felt like his blood was boiling all over.
Yang Zhen was much more grateful to He Xi than Yang Shiqi. After all, Yang Shiqi got to where he is today step by step. What he does, even if He Xi is not promoted, he will only sink for a few years. There may not be a day when he will succeed in the future. But Yang Zhen is different.
Yang Zhen was a profligate young man and was almost beaten to death in the Imperial Academy because he made a joke. If it weren't for He Xi, he would have died long ago. He also gave up the thought of official career and concentrated on doing business in Hefu. Of course, He Xi always respected Yang Zhen, treated him as a guest, not a slave, and received generous treatment. But Yang Zhen also had the heart to repay his kindness.
He never imagined that one day he would become one of the prime ministers of the Ming Dynasty.
Yang Zhen had given up on the idea of a career, but it was not that he had no idea of an official career. He even thought of an official career more deeply than anyone else. When he came back from his dream at midnight, he might not have cried bitterly and regretted his youth and ignorance. Otherwise, how could he just become a businessman.
But now Hexi suddenly gave him what he thought about day and night. Tears filled his eyes immediately and he said, "Sir, I will definitely die in your service."
In this case, Yang Shiqi couldn't say it. After all, Yang Shiqi got to this position step by step and had his own ideas, but Yang Zhen was He Xi's personal person at the moment. There was no way he wouldn't do anything he was asked to do. Because Yang Zhen knew that without He Xi, there would be no place for Yang Zhen.
Set.
He Xi said: "Okay. There is no need to say such things. As ministers in the same palace, they are all serving the imperial court. Such words are not allowed to be said."
Yang Zhen said: "I understand."
He Xi said, "You have something important to do now."
Yang Zhen said: "My lord, please give me your instructions."
He Xi said: "Summon all the heads of trading companies in Beijing."
Yang Zhen frowned slightly and said, "This------"
He Xi said, "What's wrong?"
Yang Zhen said: "It's not because of the resignation of the lower officials. Since the war started, many trading companies in Beijing have gone empty."
He Xi said: "The buildings are empty. Do they want the money in the bank?"
Yang Zhen said: "Of course there are people staying behind, but they are all insignificant personnel."
He Xi can also understand this matter. The coexistence of Beijing and Nanjing was a huge political change. These nobles did not dare to contact them rashly and had to check the situation first. We are also worried that Beijing will be ruthless, so we naturally have to retreat.
But they have a lot of foundations in Beijing. I can't let it go completely. Just leave a few people behind who won't feel bad if they die.
He Xi said: "No matter who it is? I want to see it."
Yao Guangxiao said: "We need a channel to talk to one of these trading companies. You can just arrange it."
Yang Zhen immediately understood and said, "I will make arrangements immediately."
I have to say that Yao Guangxiao is too keen on tactics. Most of the nobles have properties in Beijing, it's just a question of how much. One way is to win over these people through these trading companies. It can be said that if all the nobles and nobles in the world sided with Beijing, then there would be no need to fight this war.
After all, Xun Guizhen in the early Ming Dynasty had power. This is also the reason why in history, Zhu Yuanzhang had to carry out a general purge before his death.
It's not that He Xi doesn't mean this, but at least it's not all of it. The reason is simple. He Xi needs war. War is the best solution to many things. It is also the ultimate solution to all conflicts.
He Xi is actually not satisfied with the industry run by the nobles. They belong more to the elite capital and are not actively operating at all. They prefer monopoly of power. This is engraved in the bones and cannot be changed.
What He Xi integrates is capital, not honor.
After all, because of the banks, the money these nobles earned is now in the banking system and has not been taken away. What he wants is these things, the local operators who have stayed there.
If he could win over some people, He Xi would not be so pedantic. Naturally, he is willing to draw a few over, but He Xi estimates that even if he wants to draw them over, they are not willing to come over. Although the Northern Army has a victory, the Southern Army has begun to integrate. Fu Youde has gone north.
Fu Youde will not waste war easily until he has integrated Shandong and Henan troops, horses, money and food. Troop movement is not a computer game, just tap and go. It is estimated that it will take some time for Fu Youde to get everything ready.
But as soon as Fu Youde and Fu Youde came out, most people didn’t think that the north could hold on for long.
Therefore, it is impossible for these nobles to defect to the north at this time.
He Xi didn't say anything, but said: "Mr. Yao, I'm going to ------"
Yao Guangxiao said: "Sir, are you also planning to put me in the cabinet?"
He Xi said: "Exactly."
Yao Guangxiao said: "It is absolutely impossible. There are seven people in the cabinet, and your Excellency is the chief and assistant. Personnel and military power cannot be given away to each other. Otherwise, it will not be enough to bring peace to the world. Yang Shiqi is responsible for money and food, and the weight of the world is already in your hands. If so, Your Majesty still has four seats in the cabinet, what does His Highness think of you, Your Majesty?"
"Therefore, the other four seats must be discussed and decided with His Highness. As for me," Yao Guangxiao sighed softly and said, "What I can do to help you is just a lot of tricks. I am satisfied that I can help you achieve great things and put your talents to use. Official positions and so on are like floating clouds to me."
