Since his first trip to Huai'an after the Mid-Autumn Festival last year, Xu Qin had a vague feeling that Huai'an Mansion seemed to hide many little-known secrets.
It has only been nine months since the establishment of the Yongle Dynasty. Everything is too detailed and there is no time to take care of many places.
The imperial court's power penetration into various local government offices is currently very superficial.
The most important thing is that there is a lack of talents cultivated by himself, and there are very few officials who sincerely surrender to Emperor Yongle.
At present, the imperial court has just completed the adjustment and replenishment of the positions of the six central ministries and nine ministers, as well as the personnel recruitment of Yingtian Mansion.
The re-examination and adjustment work of local officials at the prefectural and county levels has just begun.
Therefore, when the central government's decree reaches the local level, it is like a steel ball hitting cotton, and the force is suddenly released without leaving a trace.
I heard from Tian Guan Jian Yi that it had only been half a year since Huai'an Prefecture surrendered, and the officials in the government offices, big and small, and the county offices were still the same as before in the Jianwen Dynasty.
It’s not that I don’t want to change, it’s just that I’m not ready yet.
There is a way to move one hair and move the whole body.
Just take your time.
The second day Xu Qin arrived in Qinghe County happened to be the summer solstice.
Late spring and early summer are the most beautiful times in Jiangnan.
Early this morning, in a guest room in Fuman Building, Qinghe County.
Xu Qin has changed into a noble prince's attire.
Wearing a light blue dark striped satin brocade robe, deerskin short boots, and a blue purple jade belt around the waist, with a mutton-fat jade pendant hanging on the jade belt.
It is said that this mutton-fat jade pendant, together with the Chixia Sword, was given by Emperor Taizu Gao, and is called the Qilin Jade Pendant.
These two items can be regarded as royal treasures handed down from generation to generation, gifts from the emperor, and have become symbols of the authority of the Xu family.
Xu Qin, holding a folding fan in his hand, was leaning on the railing and looking into the distance.
He came to Qinghe County not just to see the scenery, nor for a private inspection.
Because the main battlefield for the promotion of the new land tax policy is mainly towns and villages outside the county.
There is no doubt that he came to Qinghe County with a secret mission.
To put it most bluntly, he came to join us.
It was the early morning of the day before departure. He went to the Xu Ancestral Hall in the east courtyard to say goodbye to his father, Xu Huizu.
"Qin'er, you are going to Huai'an Mansion this time when you leave Beijing for a private inspection."
Xu Huizu, who rarely spoke, became concerned about Xu Qin's work for the first time.
"Yes father."
Xu Qin replied softly.
It's really unsettling for the cheap dad to suddenly care about his official business, which is called going to the Three Treasures Palace for nothing.
After receiving his son's affirmative answer, Xu Huizu sighed softly and said in a deep voice:
"You are contributing to the Yongle court. My father has expressed his position a long time ago. He has no objections and will not object to anything you do."
"But the new land tax policy proposed years ago offended almost all the rich and powerful families. Even other branches of our Xu family also resent you."
"You have gone even further and asked Ying to do some pilot and forced promotion. Last time you went to Yangzhou Prefecture, and after returning from Qingming Festival, you are planning to go to Huai'an Prefecture again. This really makes me a little uneasy and worried about you."
When Xu Qin heard this, he cupped his hands and said:
"Father, there is no need to worry. Qin'er is only going to promote the new policy of 'dividing a child into a farmer', and will discuss the matter on a case-by-case basis. He will not interfere too much in the governance of the local government, let alone adjust the official structure there."
After hearing this, Xu Huizu shook his head, "As a father, of course I understand what you are going to do, but have you ever thought about it?"
"He is not only the Imperial Envoy of Emperor Yongle, but also the Queen of the Military God. He is the eldest son of the Duke of Wei, and he is also the son of me, Xu Yungong."
"Up and down the court, inside and outside the world, there are many people who are secretly paying attention to your words and deeds. If you are not careful, you will be doomed."
Xu Qin didn't take it seriously when he heard it, thinking that his father was making alarmist remarks.
Xu Huizu ignored his son's disdainful expression and continued:
"Your new policy has touched the fundamental interests of many nobles and wealthy families. They regard you as their enemy. No matter what you do, there will be no good results."
"You may not know that Huai'an Prefecture is currently an important base of the Jianwen Party, and it has always been the sphere of influence of the Mei family of the Runan family."
This sentence attracted Xu Qin's attention. He restrained his face and listened very seriously.
"Now that you are going on inspection as an imperial envoy of Emperor Yongle, you will inevitably arouse the fear and resistance of the Jianwen Party members. What are you going to do, a bloody suppression?"
Faced with Xu Huizu's worries and inquiries, Xu Qin thought for a moment and replied:
"This incident made my father worried. The child is unfilial. However, the child has always believed that our Xu family has made great contributions to the country of Ming Dynasty. When the child's generation comes, we should carry it forward."
"As for the battle for the throne and legitimacy, I believe that the overall situation has been decided now. No one should get entangled in it anymore, but work together to benefit the people."
"If the Jianwen Party can be frank on this issue and support the court's new policies, it will be able to win an amnesty from His Majesty the Emperor in the future and completely eliminate the so-called 'remnants of Jianwen'."
"My child just wants to do something practical and useful for the country and the people. I don't think much about anything else."
Of course Xu Huizu could understand Xu Qin's statement and explanation, but he could not fully accept it.
After returning from the prison, he found that the prince seemed to be a different person, his words, deeds, thoughts and ideas were completely different from before.
He discussed it with Xu Fu in private.
They all agreed that it might be the harsh reality in prison that touched Xu Qin's soul deep in his heart, making his desire to survive and his belief in revitalizing the family become extremely strong.
This in itself may be a good thing.
But he was too young, too passionate and not cautious enough.
Such aggressive behavior will plunge him into a whirlpool of power struggles.
At this point, it is useless to say more.
Xu Qin, like himself, is also a stubborn person who can't turn back. He is the kind who goes all the way to the end.
The only way is to take precautions before they happen and minimize the risks.
"Qin'er, my father doesn't expect you to stop and withdraw, and it's impossible to withdraw now."
"But as a father, I would like to remind you that you must position yourself correctly and leave room for everything. Don't have too many illusions about the Jianwen Party, nor be too dependent on the imperial power."
"When you go to Huai'an Prefecture this time, you can first stay at an inn called 'Fumanlou' in Qinghe County. With this folding fan, someone will naturally contact you and you can get their help."
With that said, Xu Huizu took out a very finely crafted silk-paper folding fan from under his pillow and handed it to Xu Qin.
Xu Qin was stunned, but he couldn't ask more questions.
Since the cheap father is so solemn, he must have a reason.
Therefore, it is not difficult to explain why Xu Qin insisted on bringing only Xu Sanlang and came to Qinghe County first.
"Sanlang, please stop following me in the room. Put the Chixia Sword on my bedside. Feel free to walk around Fuman Building to see if there is anyone acting suspiciously."
"I understand, young master."
Xu Sanlang immediately followed Xu Qin's instructions and went to do it.
