The reason why such a short period of time is set is to prevent the people below from embezzling it.
Although silver is said to be a metal, it will still suffer some wear and tear during transportation. Corrupt officials make a fuss about this loss and get some money. The silver that would have been reduced during transportation is so corrupted by them. , the people below made it even worse.
Zhang Juzheng, who had seen the suffering of the people, naturally knew this about them, so he set such a short period of time. For fifteen days, the money would not suffer much loss even if it was exposed to wind and sun all the time.
When the time comes, if you continue to talk about losses, Jin Yiwei will come to your house to treat you to tea.
This is only a very good situation for silver as a metal.
Most of the Ming Dynasty's tax revenue came from grain and cloth. The loss of these items was even greater, leaving more room for manipulation by corrupt officials.
Therefore, after Zhu Zaijing ransacked several of Yin Zhengmao's and his family's homes, he ordered that all the soldiers in Jiubian's important towns should be given money, and they could no longer give grain, pepper, etc. as in the past.
Border troops in other places were also given money in exchange for silver.
Zhang Shentong lived up to his reputation. I don't know what method he used to exchange all their family property into snow-white silver in a few days.
"The examples of Yin Zhengmao and others are right in front of you. You all should keep an eye on my subordinates!"
Right now, he was still intimidating his men.
Zhang Juzheng was a humble and polite person to his mentor, colleagues and emperor, but he was not so easy to get along with his subordinates.
Historically, the examination method he promoted frustrated the officials of the Ming Dynasty who had fished in troubled waters for decades. So much so that after his death, the first thing almost all the courtiers did was to ask Wanli to abolish the examination method.
The examination method is almost like whipping officials to work, which once greatly improved the efficiency of government work.
"If I find out that someone has embezzled even a penny of military pay, I will ask the Holy One to chop off that person's head and hang it on the city wall!"
Zhang Shentong's long and thick beard is covered with a clip, otherwise it would be impossible to restrain him.
Now every time he snarled, the clip would loosen.
The few household officials had already bowed their heads and stood obediently.
"Okay, finish your errand this time. I will take care of my own interests and leave the bigger errand to you!"
Xu Jie laughed silently while drinking tea.
When those people heard what Zhang Juzheng said, their frightened expressions immediately turned into flattering smiles.
"Thank you, Master Zhang! Thank you, Master Zhang!"
"Everyone go back!"
"Yes, yes, yes! Mr. Zhang, Mr. Zhang, subordinates, please retire!"
After they retreated silently, Zhang Juzheng regained his calm demeanor, stood up and went over to pour tea for Xu Jie.
"I didn't expect that in just a few days, you would organize the household department so well. I really saw the right person!"
"Hahaha, thank you for the award, my mentor. It is because of His Majesty's strong support and your prestige that this disciple can take over the household department so smoothly!"
"Hahaha!"
…
The master and apprentice were drinking tea and chatting happily, when suddenly there was an angry voice outside the duty room.
"A group of turtle grandsons!"
The two of them looked toward the door, and what they saw was an angry Gao Gong, who came in cursing all the way.
After Gao Gong, who had always had a bad temper, became the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, he was faced with a large number of personnel transfers. The appointment and changes of officials in the six ministries, nine ministers, and even the whole country were now placed on him alone. This made it difficult for him to do so. He seemed even more irritable.
"Su Qing, why are you so angry?" Xu Jie asked.
Gao Gong's face turned red with anger and he came directly to Xu Jie.
"Mr. Ge, I'm here to report a few people to you!"
Zhang Juzheng stood up knowingly, sat down with Gao Gong and spoke slowly.
It turns out that there were a few officials who wanted to make a good impression in front of the new emperor when the annual appraisal was approaching, so they started to take the high road and gave him some money, hoping that he could move his position up a bit. tune.
"I have been an official for decades, and I have never received any ill-gotten gains. I have never received any courtesy from others! Now, just a few days after I took over as the Ministry of Personnel, they are doing this! They are simply treating me like a high-ranking official. What did someone think of him?"
"If I, Gao Gong, wanted to make money, I would have made a lot of money with him as early as when Yan Song was in power! How many times did the old thief send people to bring me money or land, and I didn't even ask for it! Now! Will you ask for their money?"
"Mr. Xu Ge, the list of these people is here, you can do whatever you want!"
A trace of displeasure flashed in Xu Jie's eyes after being spat on by Gao Gong, but he still took the list and put on his glasses to read.
Zhang Juzheng on the side brought a cup of tea that had just been brewed to Gao Gong. Gao Gong nodded to him, took it and drank it in one gulp.
Xu Jie slowly put down the list and looked at Gao Gong with an unhappy expression.
Because these people are all students of Xu Jie, some of his youngest disciples!
Although he didn't show it, Zhang Juzheng still glanced at the names on the list when it was placed on the table backwards, and recognized several newcomers brought out by Mr. Xu Ge.
"Is this the beginning of a fight?"
Thinking in his mind, he left Gao Gong and came to sit next to Xu Jie.
"Master Gao!" Xu Jie stopped calling him, "Did these people really come through your doorstep? Where are all the things you sent?"
Gao Gong said, "They are all in my house. Several boxes of ginseng, famous wines and paintings, all worth a lot of money!"
"That's strange! The Ming Dynasty's official regulations do not define the act of giving gifts during festivals as bribing the boss, right?"
Xu Jie confirmed that the stolen goods were in Gao Gong's hands and were valuable.
This is suspected of bribery.
But he quietly changed the nature of the matter.
What time is it now?
It’s New Year’s Day soon!
At this time, there seems to be nothing wrong with the few people below giving you, the newly appointed Heavenly Official of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, some gifts, right?
Gao Gong felt Xu Jie's protection for his disciples and stood up immediately.
"The official regulations of the Ming Dynasty do not have such a definition, but they wanted me to promote them and take care of them. Isn't this considered currying favor with the boss and paying bribes?"
"I, Gao Gong, have just taken over the Ministry of Personnel, and something like this happened. If these people don't deal with it, who will listen to me in the future? Where is the dignity of my Minister of the Ministry of Personnel?"
Zhang Juzheng lowered his head and remained silent. He didn't want to go out or continue sitting, so he had to stand up uneasily.
"Master Gao!" Xu Jie also became tough. "You also know that these people are very young. They have only been in the officialdom for a few years. They need to be taken care of by their superiors. It is human nature to promote them!"
"Then go to their direct superiors! Why are you looking for me, Gao Gong?" Gao Gong was furious, "I am the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel! According to Mr. Xu Ge, could it be that I am the superior of all the officials in the Ming Dynasty? ?"
