At first, it was just an iron boat under the Pujin Bridge that was used as a pier and a floating platform. Then the emperor asked whether the physical avenue was going to collapse.
Now, Huang Zuo, the Minister of State in charge of the Ministry of Personnel, has received a new task: Grand Inspector.
The task was assigned by Zhang Bi, the prime minister and minister of state who had not yet resigned, with a depressed look on his face.
"...This time the inspection is no small matter." Zhang Bi sighed, "Zi Shi, Yong Xiu, Yang He, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Finance and Taxation, and the Ministry of Industry and Commerce also need to participate, as well as the Metropolitan Procuratorate, the General Directorate of Public Security and Huangming Assets Bureau. Your Majesty’s move is intended for a major national policy meeting.”
Liu Tianhe, who had witnessed the incident, looked at Zhang Bi and felt disapproving.
The emperor was right. Too many people only saw official positions but no real practice.
It is understandable that Zhang Bi is in a bad mood. Before leaving office, he has to personally handle this matter, which will offend many officials.
But His Majesty specifically pointed out the performance of official duties, official and business dealings, and the business situation of officials' descendants from the same clan. Aren't these problems caused by Zhang Bi's ambiguous attitude and lack of decision-making after he took over?
Huang Zuo is already fifty-one. The ups and downs of his academic career finally came to an end in the 16th year of Zhengde's reign. His imperial examination policy on how to make a country rich by focusing on human resources made him ranked second in the complex examination environment. Now he is also the minister of state, and his job is to focus on human resources. Ministry affairs.
Faced with Zhang Bi's statement, Huang Zuo hesitated for a moment and then retorted: "I thought that your Majesty's decree to inspect the general inspection this year was not for a major national policy meeting. You have been recommended by many colleagues in Beijing. Your Majesty will be responsible for the central personnel affairs. There are calculations. But now that the new laws have been established, the Ming Dynasty started from top to bottom, and the systems are very different. However, the ideas of officials, big and small, are still the same."
"Oh?" Zhang Biping said calmly, "Would you like to hear the details?"
"I am in charge of the Ministry of Personnel. Nowadays, although the merit examination clearly orders local officials to report the gains and losses of government affairs as the main purpose, and to use public funds as a rope, the local government from top to bottom still praises His Majesty for his wisdom and the central government's wise decisions." Huang Zuo looked at Yang Shen, "Yong Xiu knows about it. If you want to know some data, you have to send a special official document to get it."
Yang Shen nodded: "In these years, His Majesty has only cared about the development of government affairs, and the rest of his energy has been spent on the Polytechnic Institute, imperial studies, and military reform. From the perspective of practical studies and dialectics, isn't everything without pros and cons? Today, it can be said that the Ming Dynasty is richer than it was twenty years ago. Although the Ming Dynasty has gained, it has naturally also lost. Now is the time for His Majesty to pay attention to the problems buried under the achievements of these years."
Huang Zuo looked at Gui E, his old colleague in Guangdong, and nodded solemnly: "Your Majesty is actually involved in this matter. Naturally, he has to uncover a number of models and handle a number of cases. Although the laws of the Ming Dynasty are strict, , but you all know that in order for the new law to be effective in recent years, you have closed one eye on some issues."
Gui E, who has been passionate about punishment for many years, has changed his life very differently from his original one, and he is even still alive today. At sixty-three, although he had some thoughts about the position of Prime Minister and Minister of State before, his competitiveness was the smallest among everyone.
Now that the position has been decided, Gui E was originally planning to retire and return to his hometown after finishing his work this year.
There's no other reason, it's just boring. In recent years, as Huang Zuo said, although after the rise of commercial law, there were a lot of chaos in local areas in terms of business license registration, procurement bidding, accounting and taxation, etc., the imperial court adopted the attitude of temporarily turning a blind eye and encouraging all industries Prosperity is the main thing.
If Zhang Fujing still needed more encouragement when he was here, then when Zhang Bi took over, it was already time to start hammering.
If you can't expect to be the Prime Minister or Minister of State, and you don't have any major cases to handle, isn't that too idle?
Now that Gui E is full of energy, she will make a big move before leaving office!
His little eyes were filled with light: "There is a certain trend, and I want to kill him!"
"Warning, once again emphasize the rules for the education of officials and businessmen." Huang Zuo looked at Yang Shen, "His Majesty has never made a decision on some issues reported by local governments, yamen, and enterprises. I thought they were all related to It is related to the administration of officials. The law on the treatment of officials has already been established. Nowadays, in-laws, fellow villagers, and tribesmen in the local area go to business and set up shops, plus purchase of corvee projects. The tax department welcomes and sends them to management. No matter how small the financial and tax losses are, there are many things that have Pu Jin. A hidden worry like the bridge?"
"How much money and taxes have been lost is not a trivial matter!" Yang Shen said decisively, "What Cai Bo said is right, what matters is the rules! If there are still so many people thinking that His Majesty clears the land, pays money to the officials and gentry, and lifts the ban on business , The purpose of raising officials’ remuneration is to open up more ways for them to make money and appease them, but that is a big mistake.”
Seeing them chatting back and forth, Zhang Bi felt uncomfortable sitting there.
Before they left, the core of the State Palace seemed to have been transferred to Yang Shen.
He was a little annoyed. The emperor had raised a small matter to such a high level this time, which was probably to express his dissatisfaction with him as the chief minister.
Isn't it a credit to Gao Fengliang's abdication of the throne to make way for the next generation and to solve the big problem of looming signs of instability in the court after the death of the queen?
Now, Cao Cha has not publicly resigned, and Yan Song is naturally secretive about the beatings he received from the emperor. Zhang Bi doesn't even know about the incident with the concubines in the harem.
He thought that Yan Song and Cao Cha had a clear understanding of justice, and it was Zhang Bi, the chief assistant, who had the prestige and face.
Now that the Chief Assistant is like Zhang Bi, he just laughs: "Since you all can see clearly, let's go and plan this matter separately. Yong Xiu, His Majesty has decided that you will take over as the Chief Assistant. You will actually take charge of this matter. However, this year there will be a longevity ceremony and a major national policy meeting, so it is better not to cause instability. If there is any major issue that requires me to deal with, I will report it to Your Majesty."
Harmony and compromise is his main theme, and this bad guy doesn't want to do it. When you want to sell, you must make a good sale and make some compromises.
He knew very well in his heart that Yang Shen's temper had revealed the problem: in some cases, it was because of His Majesty's general direction of encouraging business that the wealthy officials, gentry, and wealthy households received most of the benefits.
After taking care of the land and then taking care of the business and wealth, are we really going to kill all the rich officials, gentry, and wealthy households?
These talents are the foundation of the Ming Dynasty's current national wealth and strength, and they cannot be made unstable.
Zhang Bi looked at Liu Tianhe.
The direction of the inspection this time was the line of authority of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. Liu Tianhe remained silent and obviously felt that something was wrong.
Today's Ministry of Industry and Commerce is no better than the Ministry of Industry in the past. It is already in a bad state.
Zhang Bi had already foreseen that many big problems would be discovered this time.
Who would be interested in the positions of Minister of Industry and Commerce and Minister of State in charge of Ministry of Industry and Commerce affairs?
…
Yan Song did not attend this meeting. He was promoted from the former Minister of Culture and Education to the rear of the State Council, where he was assigned the title of Minister of Liaison.
But does the Ministry of Etiquette have nothing to do with this matter?
It matters a lot.
In the entire Ming Dynasty, border trade is now the most profitable. The most powerful businessmen, those who have the deepest contacts with officials, are often those who have obtained border trade licenses.
Xu Jie in Shanxi has always maintained a good relationship with him. This time, Yan Song was also trying to get him back to the center. Although he is still only thirty-eight, it is okay to be of the third rank and be a minister of the left in a certain ministry, right?
After another three years, he was promoted to minister, and then went to governor of a province. After six years like this, if Yan Song can become the chief assistant and Xu Jie is qualified enough to enter the State Palace, he will definitely be a great help to him.
Now Xu Jie is involved in the Pujin Bridge matter.
Yan Song knew that the matter at Pujin Bridge was not simple. He was familiar with his student. Since Xu Jie had decided to handle this matter, he would never dare to neglect the quality of the project. Wouldn't that ruin his future official career?
Instinctively, Yan Song suspected that there was a potential opponent preparing for a rainy day.
Among the important officials in the court, Yan Song's prestige was increasingly suppressed by the emperor.
Chief of the Royal Study, Governor of Zhejiang, Minister of Rites, Minister of Culture and Education, Minister of State... He has stayed in a prominent position for twenty years.
In six more years, Yang Shen will step down from office. If Yan Song is still in good health, who else will be replaced by him as Prime Minister and Minister of State?
In the eyes of the outside world, Yan Song has always been a member of the Holy Family.
Only Yan Song always felt that the emperor was deliberately suppressing him.
Now that something happened to Pujin Bridge, why should we investigate it? Why are the main directions focused on official performance of duties and industrial and commercial affairs?
Yan Shifan's current apparent identity is also in business...
Yan Song found Lu Bing on the grounds of preparing for the Wanshou Ceremony.
This Jin Yiwei commander and Prince Consort had a good relationship with Yan Shifan, not to mention his relationship with the emperor.
Lu Bing felt that it was too early to discuss the Longevity Ceremony now, as there were still four months left.
So he guessed the reason, so he smiled and said: "No wonder His Majesty hopes that Yan Guolao will accompany you for another twenty years. Yan Guolao thinks ahead in everything."
"Don't dare to slack off." Yan Song said insinuatingly, "Shifan is living in the wind and rain in Japan, and he can't even take care of his wife and children. I just hope to complete the things assigned by His Majesty and enjoy a family as soon as possible. Commander Lu is busy with things, so we don't want to discuss it now. For a moment, I’m afraid that Commander Lu won’t have that much energy next time.”
"...Same." Lu Bing smiled and discussed official business with him first.
He received Wang Zuozhen's biography and stayed in Jinyiwei for so many years. The thirty-two-year-old Lu Bing had already tempered it.
Although Yan Song wanted to find out some rumors, Lu Bing's Tai Chi skills were not bad either.
It was only when he submitted the recent report to Yangxin Hall at night that Lu Bing mentioned: "Old Yan Guo seems a little uneasy."
"Why are you uneasy?" Zhu Houcong lowered his head to read the report and asked casually.
Lu Bing recounted what happened, and Zhu Houcong was speechless and shook his head: "This guy is still like this. He knew that you would report to me, but he did it deliberately. This is a way of probing me."
Is it a guilty conscience?
After so many years, Zhu Houcong has also known the situation of the Yan family. Since Yan Shifan was doing business, although Yan Song only had one son, he also had some from the same clan and hometown.
If the affairs of the Grand Supervisor are to be arranged, how many officials in the world will not be involved in such things as relatives, relatives and friends doing business? How many officials are well-behaved?
In the end, some important ministers will definitely be affected.
The question is, who will be typical?
Those who are open-minded know very well: this kind of thing is inevitable, and the only effective way is to kill the trend from time to time and create a group of role models.
For the emperor, it was also a means of establishing authority over his ministers. No matter how attractive the location is, if you can finally get up there, it still has to be chosen by the emperor.
If they don’t want to use you, then it will point out the problem with you.
Now, Yan Song felt that the emperor wanted to point out his problem.
Zhu Houcong actually didn't think so. He just wanted to straighten out the internal atmosphere before looking outside, so as not to accumulate trouble in the future.
"I know about this." Zhu Houcong put the memorial aside, "Huang Jin, go and tell Yan Song that I will have dinner with him tomorrow night."
Yan Song, who received the notice, was naturally worried about gains and losses, so he went to the Zhiyuan Zhai of Yangxin Hall to wait in advance the next day.
While waiting, I faintly heard the emperor's voice getting louder from the imperial study room.
After a while, Yu Chengye came out with a sad face.
Yan Song met him at the door and Huang Jin also escorted Yu Chengye to the door of the royal study. At this time, he just said: "Yan Guo has been waiting for a long time. Let's see him in the palace."
"Thank you, Eunuch Huang."
Yan Song straightened his robes and stepped into the familiar imperial study room.
The emperor was still looking down at something, but when he heard the noise, he stopped and looked up at Yan Song.
"Your Majesty, Yan Song, comes to see you."
Every time he saw the emperor, he was given a big gift, and Zhu Houcong was used to it.
After he got up and sat down, Zhu Houcong first asked about the progress of Sun Ming's mausoleum, and then asked him what he thought about the King of Portugal wanting Louis to stay in Beijing permanently.
"I have met him. This Louis now understands the etiquette of the Ming Dynasty, and this time he is dressed in Ming Dynasty clothes. If you only look at him from behind, you can't tell that he is a Westerner. It can be seen that he has made up his mind and wants to He has lived in the Ming Dynasty for a long time. As soon as he arrived in the capital, he asked to go to the library to take a look."
Zhu Houcong smiled slightly: "This shows that Wei Zhong has devoted himself to culture, education and courtesy for many years."
"How dare I claim my merits? This is all His Majesty's great talent and great plan." Yan Song bowed, "It has only been six or seven years since Portugal benefited from maritime trade with the Ming Dynasty, and the compensation of twelve million taels of silver has already been enough." Delivered. Now I want to live in the Ming Dynasty for a long time, and I have reaped the benefits. I know that His Majesty has always been willing to travel all over the world. The Nan'ao Bo has now established a firm foothold in Portugal. It is not a bad thing for multiple people to exchange news here. "
"... When traveling across the world, Europe is too far away." Zhu Houxuan sighed, "Japan is much closer. However, I asked Yan Shifan to go to Japan. Your father and son have not been able to see each other for many years. Have you ever complained to me? "
Yan Song immediately left his seat and stood up: "Your Majesty gave Quanzi a great responsibility and made him an earl. I am very grateful. How can I have any resentment? Both father and son are loyal, and Quanzi will only feel that your Majesty knows him and is deeply grateful." His Majesty uses him."
Zhu Houcong shook his head: "I don't want my son to be in a dangerous place all the time, for fear of something going wrong."
He paused and then looked at Yan Song: "Weizhong, there's something I've been wanting to ask you for a long time."
"I will tell you everything I know."
Zhu Houcong said: "I promoted you at the beginning of my imperial career, and you have been in power for twenty years. Although Yan Shifan was extremely intelligent, you were still in your prime at the time, so why didn't you leave a few more heirs?"
Yan Song was a little stunned, and his nervous mood just now became very unexpected.
The emperor has been thinking about something he wanted to ask for a long time. Is this actually it?
He panicked slightly, then smiled bitterly: "The dog has an eye disease since he was a child, and I feel sorry for him. If he has a younger son, I'm afraid he may feel that his father is partial to him. Since this is his fate, I won't care about him."
Zhu Houcong fell silent after receiving this answer.
He has complicated feelings towards Yan Song.
This guy only had one son, and he was sent out to torment him. Even though he felt helpless over the years, Yan Song always worked hard.
When it comes to seeking wealth... Judging from Zhu Houcong's attention, it's just like that, not an exaggeration.
Maybe it's because he is different from Daojun, maybe it's because Yan Song hasn't taken the last step yet, and his son who is capable of doing bad things is not around yet.
But Zhu Houcong was indeed curious about the fact that Yan Song, who in his impression was a very popular minister, had only one son in his life.
Under his own rule, Yan Song climbed to a more prominent position faster. I don't know how many important ministers have prosperous heirs, but Yan Song's family is very simple.
Now when I heard it, it was just because I loved my son.
He loved his son, but the emperor was still torturing his "son". Although I only live in Tsushima Island, I don’t have to go to and fro all the time, but it is a foreign country after all.
Zhu Houcong thought of Xu Jie again.
Accepting his petition and letting him be responsible for building the Pujin Experimental Bridge was not a test for Xu Jie after he was released.
This time something happened to Pujin Bridge, and Zhu Houcong naturally had the idea of taking a closer look.
He had indeed used and warned Yan Song and Xu Jie, but now he felt that he had overreacted?
If the emperor is different, his ministers will naturally be different too.
"I'm really touched that you pity your son so much." Zhu Houcong showed a smile to him, "I made him the Eastern Bodhisattva, and it's time for him to come back and thank me. By the way, we should also discuss Japan's affairs and start moving. .”
Yan Song was immediately relieved.
We are about to start conquering Japan, how can we lose our son?
If you want to use his son, how can you touch me?
"Let's go, dinner is probably ready." Zhu Houcong stood up, "I want you to work in the Ministry of Etiquette and the Ministry of Culture and Education first. I have arrangements. When I am over forty, it will be time to spend time in formal dress. When people.”
"Your Majesty has your life, how dare you not do the hard work of your dogs and horses?"
Yan Song was smiling in his heart. Although it was still a cake, it was becoming more and more real.
It seems that even if he doesn't sit in that position in the past few years, he has to devote himself to the hard work of supporting the emperor's expansion and grand ambitions.
If that's the case, I'm afraid he won't live to be eighty.
(End of chapter)
