Just as Changsheng closed the door and considered the map, footsteps came from outside the house. Changsheng could hear the footsteps of Datou and others. The person who came was not Datou and others.
Sensing that someone was coming, Changsheng put away the map, and a voice came from outside the house, "Sir, Mr. Shi, the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, wants to see you."
After hearing the yamen servant's announcement, Changsheng stood up, opened the door, and went to the door with the yamen servant to greet him.
When you become an official, you have to deal with your colleagues. Changsheng doesn't have many interactions with courtiers. At his level, ordinary officials no longer dare to bother and make friends at will, and only officials of the same level or above can come to talk to him.
The official name of the official is Shi Linyun. He is an unsmiling middle-aged man. However, it depends on who is being unsmiling. Shi Shangshu is very polite when talking to Changsheng. Firstly, Changsheng is young and promising, and he has a high position. Secondly, he admires Changsheng very much. Integrity and courage, he quite agreed with Changsheng's methods of eradicating eunuchs and severely punishing corrupt officials in Jeju.
There is no official business for Shi Shangshu here, it is just a simple visit. However, this is only Shi Shangshu's own statement. In fact, he still has something to do when he comes, but it is not convenient to say it directly. The necessary greetings and small talk are still necessary before talking about the serious business.
Changsheng still had a good impression of the Minister of History. This person was quite honest in the administration. In addition, in order to resettle Batulu, Su Pingcuo was transferred to Suzhou to take up a post. The Minister of History did not refute this matter.
It is already well known that the imperial court wants to rectify the administration of officials. The appointment of officials in charge of the Ministry of Personnel and the rectification of the administration of officials will definitely have something to do with the Ministry of Personnel. Previously, the inspection envoys sent by Yushitai had already figured out the situation of official administration in various states and counties. At that time, the censor had already been sent to the place with the police and the imperial army to arrest people and close the net.
Officialdom has a great characteristic. Nearly a million officials, large and small, seem to have nothing to do with each other, but in fact they are still inextricably linked to each other. Officialdom is like a big tree, and its roots are only so big. There are several, and each big tree root will give rise to some small roots, and the small roots will give rise to smaller roots.
Shi Shangshu also has disciples and disciples. Some of the officials Chang Sheng wants to arrest this time have a close relationship with him. Shi Shangshu is here to test Chang Sheng's words. The ultimate goal is of course to restore environmental protection.
Young people and middle-aged and elderly people have different styles of doing things. Young people do things more directly and don't like to talk in circles. Knowing the purpose of Shi Shangshu's visit, Changsheng directly took out the list of Dai Zui officials who were about to be investigated and asked Shi Shangshu to do so. The minister singled out those whom he wanted to preserve.
Shangshu Shi was quite grateful for Chang Sheng's actions, but he was not very surprised. The reason was also very simple. Chang Sheng owed him a favor before, and it was the rule in officialdom to exchange favors for favors.
Shi Shangshu selected seven people. He also knew the rules very well. He knew that Changsheng was also responsible for raising money and food while reorganizing the administration of officials. He offered to transfer these officials or demote them to some idle positions. He went to the post empty-handed and all the gains from corruption were used. Leave.
Changsheng agreed with what the Minister of History said. This was undoubtedly a violation of the law for personal gain, but he also knew very well that almost all officials above the seventh rank had problems, large and small. If they really wanted to handle official business, they would have to deal with it all.
The rectification of the official administration was most involved in the Yushitai and the Ministry of Personnel. Because the Yushitai had to arrest people, and the positions that became vacant after the arrests were made, the Ministry of Personnel had to select officials to fill their posts. Therefore, the two of them then discussed the matter of rectifying the official administration in detail. Chang Sheng The idea is also very simple. Officials who are purely corrupt can be given a chance to change their ways, but those who seek money and kill others cannot and must be strictly investigated.
Seeing Changsheng's attitude, Shi Shangshu was relieved. What he was most afraid of was Changsheng's one-size-fits-all approach. Some court officials and all local officials were appointed by subordinates. If Changsheng really investigated and dealt with it strictly, he would turn the officialdom upside down. As the official minister, he was the first to be implicated.
In fact, Changsheng also wanted to make a clean sweep and to investigate and deal with the people strictly. However, he knew very well that the current situation of the imperial court was already in turmoil due to internal and external troubles. If he continued to arrest people everywhere, people would be in panic, and things might change.
Furthermore, corrupt officials may not necessarily be incapable of governing. It is not necessarily a good thing to catch all these corrupt officials and replace them with new officials who have no experience and have no enthusiasm and no rules for handling government affairs.
While having a secret conversation with Shi Shangshu, Changsheng suddenly felt a chill in his heart.
Shangshu Shi didn't know that Chang Sheng frowned because the spiritual energy in his body had changed, and he had already entered the deep blue hole. He thought that his sudden frown was because he was a little disgusted with the Xizhou governor they were discussing, so he immediately changed the subject and said what this person had done What he did was too outrageous and must be investigated and dealt with strictly.
The officialdom is like this. The future and even the life and death of the officials below are only determined by the thoughts of the people in high positions. This is also the scary part of the officialdom. While being superior to others and bossing around, one must always be on guard.
There are two types of stable and close relationships. One is like-mindedness and mutual sympathy. The second is to join forces and take advantage of each other. The reason why Shi Shangshu dared to come to ask for mercy was simply because through the Su Pingcuo incident, he discovered that Changsheng was not selfless, but also valued human kindness. Shi Shangshu's preservation of his disciples can be regarded as a clue to Changsheng, so Changsheng no longer hides and avoids taboos. He only said that Wu Yusheng, the newly appointed doctor of the Department of Hubu Duzhi, is quite talented, and the officials can pay more attention to it.
There was no need to be too clear about who Shangshu Shi was. Changsheng casually said it and he understood it. He did not make any superficial guarantees. He just repeated Wu Yusheng's name casually to show that he remembered this person.
The exchange of cups and cups at the banquet and the calling of brothers are actually of no use in bringing the relationship closer or promoting the relationship. As long as it is useful to the other party, the relationship will naturally develop naturally. The two chatted happily and did not go out to eat. They just asked the kitchen to cook a few things. Meals are delivered to the longevity house.
The relationship between the Ministry of Personnel and the Yushitai is very close. The Ministry of Personnel can retain the officials they want to appoint through the Yushitai, and can also investigate and punish officials who are derelict and arrogant through the Yushitai. Although the Yushitai has the power to supervise all officials However, it does not have the power to appoint or remove officials. When necessary, some personnel arrangements can be made through the Ministry of Personnel.
It was nearing the third watch, and Shi Shangshu had just boarded the sedan and left. When Changsheng returned to the backyard, Datou was feeding the horses in the west chamber. Seeing Changsheng seeing Shi Shangshu away, he took the opportunity to come over and report to him the profitability of the Ni family's properties in various places.
Regarding the profits from the Ni family's industry, Chang Sheng's method of handling them was to divide them into two. Most of the profits related to the city of Chang'an were given to the inner government. The inner government was responsible for various affairs of the palace. The silver coins sent to the inner government became It is the emperor's private property. I did this not to please, but to compensate. After all, when the court was preparing to attack the Ni family, I sent away the Ni family privately. It was tantamount to going against the emperor. The emperor was very embarrassed. Now, the Ni family has been sent away. Presenting the profits from the property to the emperor can also let the emperor know that he is grateful that the emperor did not force the Ni family to stay that day.
Many of the Ni family's properties are scattered in major state capitals outside Chang'an. He did not bring this part of the income to Chang'an, but kept it in the local area. There are many considerations in doing so. First, Chang'an is a place of right and wrong. , I can't live in Chang'an for a long time. Secondly, my money is scattered everywhere. If I need to replenish military supplies for Zhang Shan's army in the future, I can also allocate it calmly. If I move the money to Chang'an and transport it out again in the future, who can tell? Does the money belong to him or to the Ministry of Accounts?
After listening to Datou's report, Changsheng did not answer immediately. Datou saw this and thought he was tired, so he prepared to get up and leave.
"Wait a minute." Changsheng shouted to stop Datou.
After hearing the sound, Da Tou returned to his seat, picked up the teapot and poured a glass of water for Chang Sheng.
Chang Chang sighed, "I went to the Household Department today to check the account books of the Warehouse Department. The grain reserves in Zhizhou and Shuzhou are not as much as I expected."
Datou knew the relationship between Changsheng and Li Zhongyong and Chen Liqiu, so when Changsheng mentioned Zhizhou and Shuzhou, he immediately understood why Changsheng sighed, because Li Zhongyong and Chen Liqiu had previously sent troops from Pingzhou and Shenzhou and went south to capture Zhizhou and Shuzhou. Shuzhou, the reason why the two led their troops to go south was because the food and grass in Pingzhou and Shenzhou had been exhausted.
It has been several months since the two men captured Shuzhou, and the food and grass in the city must have been exhausted. It is now a time of drought, and famine is occurring everywhere. Other states and counties have court relief, but Li Zhongyong, Chen Liqiu and the people of the four states We can only fight hard.
"Sir, there is the Ni family's rice shop and cloth shop in Zuzhou, which can squeeze out 80,000 taels," Datou said. "Zuzhou is located on the south bank, and Shuzhou is in the north of the river."
After finishing speaking, Changsheng didn't answer.
Da Tou guessed what Chang Sheng was thinking, and said again, "I'm also worried that the news will leak out. If the court knows that we secretly provide food and grass for them, Long Yan will be furious."
Changsheng said, "The reason why the imperial court did not move them was because there was not enough time. At present, the recruitment of 300,000 new troops has been completed. Their location connects the north and the south. After the new army is formed, the imperial court will definitely be the first to take action on them."
"Yes, just procrastinating like this is not an option," Datou said very worriedly, "Sir, is there no possibility of recruitment?"
Changsheng shook his head slowly, "Do you think the emperor doesn't know about my relationship with them? If the emperor really wanted to recruit them, he would have given me a hint."
Datou didn't answer because he really couldn't think of a feasible way.
After a long silence, Changsheng said, "The Ministry of Revenue has received an official document. Leprosy epidemics have occurred on both sides of the Taiwan Strait recently. You can use the opportunity of epidemic prevention and medication to secretly go to Shuzhou to see the situation there and ask them what their plans are." ?”
The big head nodded in agreement, then turned to ask, "Sir, what do you want them to do?"
Changsheng shook his head and said, "The reason why they haven't moved yet is probably because they hope that I can mediate and try to recruit them, but the emperor has no intention of recruiting them, and I can't help it. You should go and see what they think first."
"Okay," Datou nodded, "Should I go empty-handed?"
Changsheng shook his head and said, "The four states of Pingshen, Zhishu and Shu have been designated by the imperial court as rebel territory, and surrounding cities are strictly prohibited from doing business with them. It's useless for you to bring money there. They are not short of money, they are short of food."
"We also have food." Datou said.
"Send some over and try to be as discreet as possible." Changsheng said.
"When should I leave?" Big Head asked.
"Let's leave tomorrow." Changsheng said.
"Okay, then I'll go back and clean up." Datou left his seat and stood up.
Changsheng stood up and said goodbye, "Be safe, I haven't been out for a long time. Please pay attention to the strange things happening along the way..."
