Chapter 62 Small Case
Yang Pu had a very keen sense of politics. This sense of smell made him feel the atmosphere of the impending storm in the court.
This is remarkable. Many people in the upper echelons of the imperial court have already felt it. But most of the middle and lower-level officials in the court, as well as many ordinary people, had no idea what was going to happen. Yang Pu seized this opportunity and wrote a manuscript, trying to find a way to surrender to the official newspaper that was close to Ding Xian.
During this period of time, Yang Pu naturally did not just copy scriptures, but also thought of other ways to make money. The best way was naturally to write manuscripts for newspapers. Yang Pu's literary level is also high. He even took this opportunity to find out what was going on behind the newspaper office.
This manuscript from Yang Pu can be said to be in line with Ding Xian's wishes.
This manuscript passed through several hands and landed in Ding Xian's hands.
Ding Xian saw it and couldn't help being very happy.
Because the core issue of Yang Pu's manuscript is that Fang Xiaoru abandoned the ancestral system.
First, I point out Zhu Yuanzhang's various efforts in the land system and tried every means to clear the land. However, since Zhu Yunwen came to the throne, the number of acres of land that were previously cleared began to decrease. There are even various acts of extortion and extortion. List the affairs of his Yang family and other cases he collected.
There is also the crime of Si. The problem that explains this matter from all aspects is Fang Xiaoru.
Fang Xiaoru intentionally abandoned the old Hongwu system.
This is treason.
Why is Ding Xian happy? Because words are also a kind of power.
Fang Xiaoru's supporters were mostly Confucian scholars, and they all held high plaques honoring Heaven and the Patriarch. Yang Pu used Emperor Hongwu to suppress him, leaving them speechless.
However, no matter how good Yang Pu's article is, it is just an article. It’s just that this article couldn’t have come at a better time. It was when Ding Xian wanted to take action.
On normal days, it would be impossible for such an article to appear in the official newspaper, and it would be impossible for the case Yang Pu wanted to list to appear. But now Ding Xian was afraid that it was not enough, so he asked his subordinates to tell Yang Pu so that he could read the Ministry of Punishment and other court documents and revise them again.
So three days later, this article was officially published in the official newspaper.
Before going to court, Fang Xiaoru had already seen the official newspaper. His hands were shaking.
Extremely angry.
This anger is not directed at Yang Pu, nor is it directed at Ding Xian, nor is it directed at Zhu Yunwen. But for some people's own supporters.
Fang Xiaoru felt extremely sad and angry in her heart, and thought to herself: "They dare? How dare they?"
Fang Xiaoru had never been dissatisfied with Hongwu's system. He felt that Hongwu knew that he should be more relaxed. Too strict. I can't stand it down there. But this kind of relaxation does not allow them to impose excessive taxes and destroy the people.
Fang Xiaoru felt that relaxing the rules would mean opening up imperial examinations to give scholar-bureaucrats a way to get ahead, and to give scholars the honor of being successful candidates. He also provided tax-free treatment to win over the people of the world for the imperial court. And by softening the policy, it is easy to default on taxes. After a long time, some can be exempted.
etc.
But what are the people below doing? Some arbitrarily increase taxes by 30%. Some add 50%, some double it. It's just scraping the ground. In addition, there are various other problems, and the prefecture and county deliberately do not pay taxes. But in fact, it has been collected, and the tax arrears has been reported to the above, waiting for exemptions and reductions, etc.
There are countless various problems and many things that Fang Xiaoru can't even think of, but they can all solve them.
This is Fang Xiaoru's weakness.
Fang Xiaoru was too close to the official document and too far from reality.
It should be noted that even Ding Xian, although he has never been out of Beijing, has worked in the newspaper office for several years and knows too much about what the Ming Dynasty was like, such as Xiaoru.
Fang Xiaoru was not easily deceived.
So the morning began.
At the morning court, Zhu Yunwen threw the newspaper in front of Fang Xiaoru in front of all the civil and military officials and said, "Master Fang, what do you think of this matter?"
Fang Xiaoru knelt down to the end and said: "I was not strict in my duties. If something like this happened, I am guilty. But I definitely did not change the ways of the late emperor."
Please let your Majesty know your thoughts clearly. "
Regardless of whether Fang Xiaoru had this intention or not, he could not admit it. If you are not strict with your subordinates, it is a matter of ability. If you want to change the way of the late emperor, it is a matter of attitude. The former will be severely punished at most. The latter is likely to die without a burial place.
It's just that when this matter has progressed to this point, Fang Xiaoru can no longer do whatever he wants.
Zhu Yunwen looked at Fang Xiaoru, sighed, and said: "The imperial court has always been troubled, and now something like this has happened. It must be thoroughly investigated to calm the hearts of the people. I trust Mr. Fang. It's just Mr. Fang who wants to avoid suspicion."
"Mr. Ding, you should take care of the cabinet affairs first on Mr. Fang's behalf."
Ding Xian immediately stood up and said, "Yes."
Zhu Yunwen sighed, as if he had no intention of going up to court, and asked everyone to retreat.
Fang Xiaoru seemed to be in a daze after being so shocked. Ding Xian immediately stepped forward to help Fang Xiaoru.
Fang Xiaoru smiled bitterly and said, "Thank you, I didn't know it was this far. Brother Ding."
Ding Xian said: "Mr. Fang, do you dare not call me brother?"
Fang Xiaoru said: "Mr. Ding, I already knew a few months ago that I would end up like this. I'm not surprised at all, but I still need your help with one thing."
Ding Xian said: "Mr. Fang, why do you say this? This is just a trivial matter. Just make it clear. Your Excellency only needs to go home and rest for a day or two. By then, this cabinet cannot be without you."
Fang Xiaoru sighed and said: "Why is this? What is there to understand about today's situation? The Northern bandits are coming fiercely, and the situation in the world is becoming more and more chaotic. I cannot support the current situation. The more military expenditures, the bigger the imperial treasury will be." Exhausted. I didn’t have any solution, but I also caused what is happening now. Look, there are so many moths down there. It’s time to clean up. I have failed His Majesty, and it’s time to go back to my hometown and study hard. You and I Whatever festivals there are, they have passed. All I ask is that you preserve the integrity of the court. Some people have little to do with these things. Please show your respect."
"Fang Gong, what are you talking about?" Ding Xian said, "What can I do about this matter?"
Fang Xiaoru looked at Ding Xian and kept answering questions and avoiding questions. She knew that this matter was not easy to handle.
Fang Xiaoru felt like a mirror in his heart. How could he not know why this matter developed into such a situation.
Now he has not convicted, only avoided. But he will definitely be convicted in the future, which is the inevitable result of his leaving the court. Fang Xiaoru was a little confused about this matter, but he was mentally prepared. What he told Ding Xian was true.
He was really confused.
He really can't cope with the current war.
The expansion of the war is inevitable. The expansion of the war will inevitably lead to a sharp increase in military expenditures. Under such circumstances, he couldn't think of any way to supply the frontline military supplies. Fang Xiaoru was opposed to it from the bottom of his heart by letting him serve as a gathering minister.
But in the position of first assistant, many things must be done.
In his heart, he actually has a desire to avoid it.
The reason for this was also his defeat on another battlefield, that is, his defeat on the academic battlefield. Now even anyone with eyes can see that the war in the north cannot be over in a day or two.
There are only a few provinces in the north, so we can suppress the south and fight. It is clear that He Xi's talent is superior to those in Nanjing.
Facts have proved that He Xi's way of governing the country is correct. Na He Xi's way of governing the country is correct. So how should Fang Xiaoru deal with himself? He worked so hard against He Xi back then, and even did not hesitate to force the prince. The prince's early death was probably related to this incident.
Even in his opinion, He Xi's rebellion was related to this incident. It was because he was unable to realize his ambitions under the oppression of the police, and finally went down this path.
When Fang Xiaoru thought of this, she became even more entangled in her heart. This kind of entanglement made Fang Xiaoru no longer think about government affairs. Zhu Yunwen wanted to replace him and just go with the flow, but he could retreat. He was still responsible for some things.
Like follow him
of many people. He knew that many of these people were bastards, for example, he saw many corrupt civil servants. But he did not believe that apart from these people, there was no available talent.
Before he left, he wanted to ask Ding Xian for a favor. Protect these people.
It's a pity that Ding Xian is unwilling to give it.
