Yan Song did not expect that the idea he had had when he was in Zhejiang would be officially raised by Zhang Fujing at this moment.
In the flower hall where Yan Mansion meets guests, four people are sitting tonight.
Two of them have a relationship with Yan Song. One of them is Xu Jie, who served as a doctor in the Nanjing Civil Service Department during the Beijing Civil Service Period. But it was Nie Bao who was promoted to the Guangdong Municipal Shipping Department and was now promoted to the director-general of the Zhejiang Qing Li Department of the Ministry of Household Affairs in Beijing.
The two of them have the lowest official status among everyone tonight.
Yan Song is the host, and everyone else is the guest. But Wu Tingju was the minister of state in charge of the Ministry of Industry, and he was sitting next to Yan Song.
Another person was Li Mo, who, together with Tang Shunzhi, was appointed as the leader of the National Security and Civil Affairs Bureau and was awarded the title of Chang Ping Bo. At that time, he was promoted from a mere official to the fourth rank of the Metropolitan Inspector Yuan Youqian Du Yushi, and now he is the third rank. The right deputy is the imperial envoy.
In addition to his extraordinary talents, this is probably also the compensation for him having been the chief of the Guangdong Cleaning Department of the Ministry of Household Affairs for so long and being suppressed by Wu Tingju and reluctant to be promoted.
"So, Wu Guowu didn't know about it beforehand? Zhang Guowu used it as an excuse to control the river. I thought at least Wu Guowu knew about it..."
Recalling the situation where other state ministers looked a little stunned at the court meeting, Yan Song's guess was confirmed by Wu Tingju's answer.
The unhappiness in Wu Tingju's heart was not shown on his face. He just said lightly: "Your Majesty has already said that this is a serious matter. Now, it is just a matter of casting stones to ask for directions. Even the ministers of the state may not all agree with this move. .”
On the surface, Yan Song just echoed: "It's not just asking for directions, it's shocking..."
The turbulent waves in his heart were not because of this, but because of the confirmation Wu Tingju gave him: This matter was probably only discussed in advance by Fei Hong and Zhang Fujing.
Fei Hong is the current chief executive, and he has been reelected for one term. Before, everyone judged that Fei Hong would definitely resign. This time he was re-elected, and everyone still believed that Fei Hong would definitely resign in two years. This time, no matter how much the emperor tried to persuade him, he would not dare to stay in office. In just one term, so many veterans were gone. In another three years, what hope do Mao Ji, Zhang Zilin, Wu Tingju, and Wang Xian have?
However, Fei Hong is now working with Zhang Fujing to promote such a major event. He simply wants to use this matter as a starting point for the handover between the old and new first assistants.
Everyone is counting their ages. Zhang Fujing is already fifty-five years old, and will be fifty-seven in two years. Although the possibility of him taking over as chief executive is quite high, don't others have any ideas?
Yan Song was fine. He felt that his body was in good shape and he had just turned fifty this year, so he felt that he could wait another five or even eight years.
Wang Xian and Chen Jiuchou were fine, but they were afraid that they would become ministers of state because of preparations for the future Northern Expedition, and one would be responsible for the military affairs department. But what about Mao Ji? What about Zhang Zilin and Wu Tingju?
Wu Tingju said calmly at this time: "Of course it is shocking. The Great Khan of the Mongolian Yuan Dynasty died in the Ming Dynasty. Sooner or later, there will be a life and death battle between the two countries. After Qinghai changed hands, there was endless discussion among the government and the public about the location of the capital of Nanjing. At this time, There is actually a proposal to withdraw from Nanzhili and establish a chief envoy. Within three to five days, the news spread to Nanzhili, and it was very lively."
At the end of his speech, his tone changed from calm to a little smiling.
Yan Song just smiled, and then asked the others: "Uncle Chang Ping, Zi Sheng, and Wen Wei, do you think this can be done?"
"I'm afraid this must happen."
It was Li Mo who spoke. When he was the head of the Qing Li Department in Guangdong, the three ministers of household affairs under him were Yang Tan, Wu Tingju, and Zhang En. Wu Tingju later went to governor Guangdong, and Zhang En was promoted from the left governor of Guangdong to the minister of household affairs. It can be said that Li Mo's career is closely bound to the new law, and even to the Guangdong faction that is now vaguely formed.
If we really want to discuss it, Wu Tingju should be an important member of the Guangdong faction, and Zhang Fujing should try his best to win Wu Tingju's support. But now, Wu Tingju is at Yan Song's house, communicating with him about the direction of this matter.
The same is true for Nie Bao, who was promoted in the Guangdong Shipping Department. Naturally, he can be considered a Guangdong faction.
Yan Song heard Li Mo say this and said "Oh": "Why does it have to happen?"
"I am responsible for supervising grain in Nanjing and the three provinces." Li Mo, the right deputy governor of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, calmly explained his point of view, "I am also responsible for investigating the disaster situation in Suzhou Prefecture. I am not responsible for the situation in South Zhili. To elaborate, Wu Guowu and Uncle Da Zong, as well as General Secretary Xu and General Secretary Nie all know that. Since sooner or later there will be a life-and-death battle with the Northern captives, how can the problem of money and food not be solved? If Nanjing is the country of Nanjing, it is not possible to solve the problem. Think about defeat first before you think about victory, or you may actually lose."
Wu Tingju and Yan Song were noncommittal and looked at the other two people.
Nie Bao just sighed: "Xiaoguan served as a county magistrate in Huating, and General Secretary Xu is from Huating. I can only say that this matter is difficult to accomplish."
Xu Jie also shook his head slowly and sighed: "When I was in the Ministry of Civil Affairs in Nanjing, I also felt deeply. Most of the problems in Nanjing are Nanjing's problems. The problems in Nanjing are all problems of third-rank or above and senior relatives. "
Wu Tingju and Yan Song looked at each other, then silently picked up their cups and drank tea.
There is only one position for the chief minister, and there are only so many positions for the palace of state and counselors. But how many officials are there from the fourth rank to the third rank, or from the third rank to the second rank?
Although they all wear red robes, everyone wants to climb up again. Even if they can't climb to the Councilor and State Palace, there are still some positions in Nanjing that allow them to obtain corresponding official titles and have some considerable power.
If Nanzhili is withdrawn, even if the six ministries of Nanjing are retained due to special reasons in Nanjing, what's the point of having those positions with rank but no power?
"Wu Guowu, after the New Year, I'm afraid this matter will be discussed at the national policy meeting." Yan Song took the lead to put down his tea cup and looked at Wu Tingju respectfully, "By then, we all have an attitude. Whether to support or refute, It’s no small matter.”
Wu Tingju thought about the silence in the Wenhua Palace after the end of the dynasty. At that time, no one spoke or discussed the matter.
He just sighed again: "I'm afraid that within ten days, the memorials to impeach Mao Gong will be piled up with the General Secretary. Do you want to second the matter, are you afraid?"
Yan Song smiled softly: "I went to Zhejiang from the imperial study room and was appointed as the Ministry of Rites. I am not afraid of some criticism."
Wu Tingju paused for a moment before saying: "Let's take a look first. After all, this matter will not be discussed until after the New Year."
…
In the court, in addition to some people who want to pull down a few people above them so that they can climb up the ladder, there are also a large number of people who know that the end of their official career will probably be some positions in Nanjing.
In addition to temples, the existence of Nanzhili is also related to the private interests of countless officials and gentry families in Jiangnan and even the entire Ming Dynasty.
The ripples caused by Zhang Fujing's proposal are spreading outwards, but the strange thing is that in the last period before the New Year, not many memorials to impeach Zhang Fujing were submitted.
"He moves very diligently."
Zhu Houcong read the daily report of the actions of all officials in Beijing sent by Lu Bing.
Lu Bing stood there, waiting for the emperor's order.
"The most important thing is the news in Nanjing." Zhu Houcong raised his head and looked at Lu Bing, "You ask Wang Zuo to send more people to Nanjing. This year, we will work hard for the people in Nanjing."
"I accept the decree!"
After letting Lu Bing go back, Zhu Houcong stood up and walked to the new version of the map of the Ming Dynasty: "Maoglu, read Zhang Fujing's memorial again."
"yes……"
Jiang Rubi picked up the memorial submitted by Zhang Fujing, which contained his conception and analysis of the pros and cons of establishing the Huaiyang Chief Envoy.
Zhu Houcong has naturally seen it several times, and now he just continues to think about it.
On the map, the territory of the Ming Dynasty is not as large as those in previous versions, and it also includes many areas that cannot be controlled in reality.
Therefore, the proportion of Nanzhili is even greater.
The words "Nanjing is the capital of the country" are actually not a joke.
At this time when transportation is not convenient, wherever is the economic and population center, it is actually the most suitable place to become a political center.
The shift of the economic center of gravity to the south took a long time. By this time in the Ming Dynasty, theoretically speaking, the most suitable capital for the Ming Dynasty was indeed Nanjing. Beijing, on the other hand, is actually just an "enclave" of Nanjing in the north through the Grand Canal.
The maintenance of Beijing depends on the transshipment of money and grain with Nanjing as the center.
Nanjing was the economic and cultural foundation of the empire, and Beijing was actually a frontline military command.
Zhu Di moved the capital to Beijing. To be precise, he only moved part of it. Beijing plus Nanjing are a complete capital city in this era.
Nanjing is not like the "accompanying capital" in some previous dynasties. The world's tax revenue is nearly 30%, and the imperial examination talents are nearly half. This is the strength of Southern Zhili.
From an efficiency perspective, downgrading Nanzhili to a province like other chief envoys would help the Ming Dynasty improve its control over Jiangnan taxation.
But from another perspective, this is indeed digging into Ming's own foundation.
The reason why the later Qing Dynasty had to split up the Southern Zhili was because of their status as foreign rulers. The overly powerful Southern Zhili was a greater internal worry for the Qing Dynasty's rule. For Ming Dynasty at this time, Beijing can gain great stability and support by simply spending a little more money.
Now that Zhu Houcong is the emperor, he thinks about these issues from the perspective of an emperor.
Now that Zhu Houcong is the emperor, he thinks about these issues from the perspective of an emperor.
In such an era, the highest political task of the dynasty was actually to protect farmland. Zhu Di had to move the capital to Beijing at that time. Under the pressure of the grassland tribes, he had to protect the best arable land in the North China Plain of the Ming Dynasty and the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River Plain from the north.
Once this land is lost, the Ming Dynasty will have no foundation and will only linger and eventually die like the Southern Song Dynasty.
Another reason is that since the Northern Song Dynasty lost the Yanyun Sixteenth Prefecture, the north has actually been under foreign rule for more than 400 years. If the political center of gravity is not moved northward, the North will eventually become barbaric. The concept of a unified dynasty is not so unbreakable, and the power of time is terrifying. If the Ming Dynasty had always made Nanjing its capital, the north would not have been as firmly attached to the Ming Dynasty as it is now.
How easy is it to transform people's thinking in a place that has been lost for more than four hundred years?
Imagine if the capital was still in Nanjing during the Tumubao Incident, and now the situation is again one of dividing rivers and dividing rivers. With the land resources of the north and the blessings of Han farming and craftsmanship, the Mongolian Yuan Dynasty will be many times more difficult to deal with than it is now. And it has entered an era when it does not belong to the same country as the south. After many years, there is no longer a sense of unity and the same China.
From this perspective, Zhu Di's contribution to China is huge.
From this perspective, Zhu Houcong now has to make a decision: How to deal with the problem in Southern Zhili?
Continue to guard the country's gates, strengthen the strategic depth of the Ming Dynasty from the north, and transform and naturalize more northern Han people and even the thoughts of all ethnic groups. This is the foundation for all generations.
But Jiangnan, as an economic and population center, must also be handled well.
The main problem is, of course, stability.
"The Maritime Transport Bureau transports grain from the south of the Yangtze River to the north. How much can it achieve now compared with the River Transport Bureau?" Zhu Houcong suddenly interrupted Jiang Rubi.
"Back to Your Majesty, it's just over 20%."
"Twenty percent...that means it's still less than a million stones." Zhu Houcong nodded and asked, "Renovating the straight road from Beijing to Changsha, the Ministry of Industry initially estimates how much money it will cost and how many years it will take?"
Jiang Rubi couldn't answer this question. Seeing him pause, Yang Bo spoke: "There is no exact figure yet, but it will not be less than 40 million taels, and it will not be less than eight years."
Zhu Houcong glanced at Yang Bo, then at Jiang Rubi and Wang Shenzhong who looked a little embarrassed.
"For eight years, we must prepare at least five million taels of silver every year." Zhu Houcong silently calculated in his heart.
After the land clearing was completed, including the annual tax reductions due to disasters, Zhu Houcong wanted to calculate how much private interests the wealthy officials and gentry in the south of the Yangtze River could tolerate and how much the Ming Dynasty's financial level could be improved. In the process of improvement, can it support the court to do many short-term and long-term things, and further strengthen the control of the entire Ming Dynasty?
These things need to be considered for a long time.
Zhu Houcong was not in a hurry to find his ministers to discuss matters. This was something that was neither urgent nor urgent.
He also needs to see the direction of the situation between the government and the opposition.
…
The news spread to Nanzhili, and this was the real uproar.
There are many opportunities to get together and travel around at the end of the year. In addition to normal interactions, many people with interests inevitably have to talk about this issue.
Nanjing officials and Jiangnan gentry were naturally more concerned about this.
The governors of Yingtian and Huaiyang had just been dismissed, and the officials in Southern Zhili were doing well this year. After all, they did not have two big shots to keep an eye on them.
But in the future...
"If we demolish Nanzhili and set up the Huaiyang Chief Envoy, will it be better than now?"
Restaurants, tea shops, fireworks, there are talks everywhere.
A certain scholar looked puzzled.
"Ha." Another scholar hugged Jiao'e and sneered at the charcoal basin in the room, "It depends on who is good for you. It will definitely be bad for students like you and me. Just say one thing, The provincial and rural examinations in various provinces are already conducted by the Ministry of Rites in Beijing and the examiners are appointed, but this is not the case in Southern Zhili! In the future, officials in all prefectures and prefectures in Southern Zhili will be selected and tested by the Ministry of Civil Affairs in Beijing. In my lifetime, I will take the exam to be a student member. It’s not as easy as it used to be!”
Several people were thoughtful.
It is true that the Nanjing Ministry of Civil Affairs no longer has the qualifications to select officials from prefectures and counties in southern Zhili, but they still have the right to inspect. And similarly, since they don't have the right to elect, don't they have the right to recommend? As officials in the same dynasty, would it be possible for Nanjing to lose face to many low-level officials who had the power to be appointed by the Ministry of Civil Affairs in Beijing?
Most of those who serve as officials in Nanjing already focus on managing their own personal relationships and doing something for the future of their relatives, friends, and heirs. You help me, I'll help you. South Zhili is unique in many things.
"The killing of officials in the southeast, Hui'anbo's rebellion, the southern inspection, the inspection of the capital, the grain and tax expedition..." someone sighed, "Since His Majesty's imperial edict, there has been no year without fear in Southern Zhili. Jianghuai is the land of dragons, Nanjing is the foundation of the country, what is your Majesty suspecting about Nanzhili?"
They couldn't figure it out, and neither could many people who were officials in Nanjing.
As for the military officials in Nanjing, they are now led by two young men, Xu Pengju and Qiu Luan.
They were nervous because this was something unusual after all.
In Huating County, Xu Jie's father would ask the housekeeper every day: "Is there any letter?"
"Master, whenever a letter comes from the young master, it will naturally be delivered to you immediately."
"Why……"
He is just a microcosm. How many families in the south of the Yangtze River have produced people who have been promoted to the imperial examinations and become officials in the court? Their relatives who are officials are concerned about their official careers, while their families and tribesmen are concerned about their future taxes and servitude.
In Sichuan, Yang Tinghe, who had already retired as an official at home, frowned, and his expression was incompatible with the joyful arrangements at home for the Spring Festival.
After a long time, he just sighed: "There will be no chaos now, but if the war is unfavorable in the future, or if there are more and more complaints about the war in successive years, it will be a big trouble..."
"...Brother, are you talking about the affairs of Nanzhili?" His younger brother Yang Tingzhong was very worried, "Yong Xiu was appointed as the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, but he was at the center of the storm..."
Yang Tinghe was silent for a long time, and could only say leisurely: "I have become an official, and it is his turn to go his own way..."
In Qianshan, Jiangxi, there was an endless stream of people visiting the Fei family before the end of the year, and everyone wanted to find out what the Fei family was like.
To the northeast of Qianshan, Huizhou Prefecture is now affiliated with Nanzhili, and people who are outside businessmen also go home to celebrate the New Year.
There were several large merchant gangs in the Ming Dynasty, and Huizhou merchants were also one of the most important ones.
"This year is the grain tax, and I'm afraid there will be taxes next year. When I come back from Zhejiang, I have to buy some struvite from the sea trade house. It costs money and takes up space! Zhejiang Ship Ship There is no way for the company to make more money, and the taxes in Jiangnan, Beijing and the three provinces cannot be the same as before. Brother Fang, you are a low-ranking county magistrate, what do you have to say?"
One person who was stared at by everyone could only smile bitterly: "Although I am a county magistrate, there is no Xiangxianyuan in Nanzhili!"
"Young Master Zuoxian can send a letter to His Majesty, Brother Fang..."
The man's face changed greatly: "How can I, a mere village sage, even a county magistrate, speak nonsense about such a big matter?"
"Is this all..."
"... Let's celebrate the New Year well first, and let's take a look first. Isn't the imperial court still undecided on this matter? Your lords should discuss such a big matter first."
"Does Mr. Song's family have any explanation?"
"Keep it secret..."
"Why……"
The ninth year of Jiajing comes in such an atmosphere, and the whole Jiangnan will never forget this night.
New Year's Eve in the Forbidden City is very lively.
Today is the most neat time for the clan and relatives of the country to come together to the palace to celebrate the New Year.
(End of chapter)
