prosperous age

"We should also urge the Ministry of Personnel and local inspectors to conduct strict inspections and prohibit officials at all levels from using public property for personal use at post stations, from taking more than they deserve, and from allocating private expenses."

While Wei Guangde was still thinking, Zhang Juzheng was talking to himself, "Actually, Hai Gangfeng had reported these things before, but Gao Suqing was in a hurry to conduct the imperial examination at that time and threw it aside.

If you hadn't mentioned the post today, I really wouldn't have remembered it."

"Oh, Hai Rui also proposed to reform the post?"

Wei Guangde was surprised.

When he proposed the post delivery, he didn't actually intend to change anything, because the current post delivery system was actually quite good.

With their official passes, officials could eat and drink for free at post stations across the country, and they would be escorted by carriages all the way. They did not have to ask for a penny, as all expenses were reimbursed by the court. The key word to their life was "comfortable".

I heard that Zhang Juzheng wanted to consult Hai Rui's opinion on abolishing or merging some unnecessary post stations, which of course was fine.

The stations that were closed or merged must be those deserted places where few people go, so they are included in this list.

Doing so actually has no impact on him as a cabinet minister.

But the things that come later will have some impact.

At the very least, his official posts will not be as valuable in the future.

It's not just him, the same goes for posts from other officials as well.

If you touch someone else's cake, you may get blamed behind their back.

Zhang Juzheng did not seem to realize this, or if he did, he probably felt that he should still do it.

Anyway, he just brought it up so openly.

Nodding, Zhang Juzheng looked at Wei Guangde and said, "Saving expenses and combating the misappropriation of public property is the main content of his memorial, which was drafted by the Cabinet and approved by the Imperial Household Department, but it was never carried out.

Shandai, do you still remember the system of using post stations established by Emperor Taizu?"

"Hmm? Of course I remember."

Being asked suddenly, Wei Guangde was stunned for a moment, then nodded and said, "According to the Ming Hui Dian, people who convey the emperor's will or people who are specially authorized by the emperor to use the post station, people who convey military secrets, civil and military officials who travel more than 1,500 miles to take up their posts, princes who come to Beijing to pay homage, report on affairs, or foreign envoys who come to the Ming Dynasty to pay tribute, imperial envoys of various ministries, supervisory censors who go to various places to handle affairs, disabled and incurable soldiers, military widows, and family members of deceased officials returning home.

These few cases can use the post stations, but others are not allowed to use the post stations.

However, after the Jiajing Dynasty, some of these rules have become established conventions, and it would be difficult for my uncle to change them. "

The Ming Hui Dian was not static, but was revised many times, with the biggest changes occurring during the Jiajing reign.

After all, Emperor Jiajing was one of the more eccentric emperors of the Ming Dynasty, not much less than his cousin Emperor Zhengde.

Although Emperor Zhengde acted eccentrically, he did not change many of the old rules, while Emperor Jiajing liked to change the system. Emperor Zhengde would find ways to circumvent anything that went against his wishes, but Emperor Jiajing would just change it directly.

Many ministers who were punished during the Jiajing period were dealt with because they opposed his reforms.

Yan Song catered to his ideas, and then he rose to prominence and enjoyed a temporary honor.

During the Jiajing period, the regulations for granting post station permits underwent considerable changes.

These regulations include useless examples such as Confucius' descendant Yansheng Duke and Taoist Zhang Zhenren coming to Beijing to pay homage.

What is even more frustrating is that the post stations need to provide "food rations and a post donkey for each of the followers and servants brought by these people."

Ironically, the imperial court classified Kanhe into five types: "gentle, kind, respectful, frugal and modest", and issued them to officials and envoys according to regulations.

But in fact, these people are not gentle, kind, respectful, frugal or modest at all. Instead, they are more like vicious robbers, greedily plundering the meager assets of the common people.

Wei Guangde's post and the certificate he took out actually belong to this category, which is to fleece the imperial court.

Of course, everything is within the rules. Even if it falls into the hands of Ge Shouli, who is known for his integrity and strictness, at most he would be accused of being indisciplined, and there would be no fault to be found.

In the late Ming Dynasty, the permit for using the post station had become a kind of "gift".

The Ministry of War or local governors and inspectors gave it to others and it became a lifelong pass for them. If they did not want to use it anymore, they could give it to someone else by just crossing out the name on the seal and filling it in again.

It’s that simple, you can use it by simply making any changes.

Wei Guangde's certificate was also sent by Huo Yi and Tan Lun. He just opened his mouth and they sent it to him immediately.

“No matter how difficult it is, we must change.”

Zhang Juzheng's answer was decisive and without any hesitation.

Wei Guangde no longer had the heart to drink at this time. After all, he was the one who caused the incident, and he didn't know whether it would affect his reputation.

Well, it’s hard to say whether this reputation is good or bad.

Anyway, the mouth is on other people's bodies. If they say you are good, you are good. If they say you are bad, you are definitely bad.

Historical books are not necessarily true. Even a serious work like "Records of the Grand Historian" has been found to contain a lot of misleading information.

"In the tenth year of Jiajing and the fifth year of Longqing, the imperial court issued documents to rectify the post stations, and it seems that it was the last time."

Wei Guangde did not continue. He had already remembered some court documents, which seemed to have been issued during the Longqing period.

"Yes, but it's all over."

Zhang Juzheng said calmly, "But Shandai should know how the people live along these post roads.

Their life was already very difficult, and the expenses of the post station made their lives even more difficult.

The decrees issued by the imperial court became nothing more than a piece of paper piled up in government offices at all levels.

The imperial court is now vigorously promoting the performance evaluation system, and this is the right time to carry out the post system reform.

The performance evaluation system was used to urge local post stations to strictly check the permits and crack down on illegal activities such as pretending to be on official business and using the permits in someone else's name.

If the local government does a good job, the cost of postal services will naturally be greatly reduced. If the local government does a poor job, the cost will remain the same.

In this way, whether the local performance evaluation system has been implemented or not can be clearly seen even if you and I are in the capital."

After hearing Zhang Juzheng's thoughts, Wei Guangde didn't know what to say.

Now anyone who obstructs Zhang Juzheng from implementing the performance evaluation system is his enemy.

Wei Guangde didn't want to fight with Zhang Juzheng in the cabinet, but he might not win.

Moreover, Zhang Juzheng's reforms were actually beneficial to the court.

Although some policies will cause the people below to feel short-term pain.

But a short pain is worse than a long one. As long as you sort it out, you will feel better after the pain.

Wei Guangde stopped talking, which actually meant he tacitly agreed to Zhang Juzheng's plan.

"Okay, let's drink tonight, why are we talking about business again, haha"

Zhang Juzheng laughed happily at this time, raised his wine glass and motioned Feng Bao and Wei Guangde to join him.

Soon, the three of them put aside their previous affairs, talked and laughed, and started drinking. The atmosphere returned to what it was before.

When everyone was satisfied with the food and drink, Feng Bao and Wei Guangde said goodbye and left. Zhang Juzheng seemed to have just remembered something, and took Wei Guangde's hand and said, "Shandai, I forgot to tell you something. Lord Ge sent a note today, saying that he plans to add two censors to Fujian Province.

However, whether to add new personnel or transfer personnel from other departments still needs to be discussed by the cabinet and the Ministry of Personnel."

"Fujian Dao recruited people?" Wei Guangde asked curiously, "Why?"

"Although Dongfan Island and Luzon are under military control and managed by the South China Sea Navy, you also know that there will be no prefectures or counties, but there will still be patrols."

Zhang Juzheng replied.

Liaodong initially did not have prefectures and counties, and was managed by the garrisons. However, the Shandong Provincial Censor still sent an inspector to Liaodong every year to monitor illegal officials.

The decision of the Censorate to set up inspectors in Dongfan Island and Luzon was also based on this precedent.

Wei Guangde nodded and said with a smile: "When the time comes, we will follow the court rules. Let the Censorate and the Ministry of Personnel negotiate and submit the cabinet's draft."

After understanding the whole situation, Wei Guangde didn't want to stop it.

Accompanied by the bright moonlight, Wei Guangde walked out of Zhang's house with You Qi's farewell, got on his own sedan chair and went back to rest.

Meanwhile, in the southwestern border of the Ming Dynasty, in Baoshan City, Yongchang Prefecture, Li Chengliang, the left commander-in-chief of the right army of the Five Military Commandery of the Ming Dynasty, was staying up late thinking about tactics against Myanmar.

In the past two days, he tried his best to collect intelligence on the Burmese Army, as well as battle reports from previous expeditions, to understand the strength of the Burmese Army.

At the same time, while urging the coalition forces of the three provinces to arrive as soon as possible, he also had to worry about tactical arrangements.

According to Luo Rufang's suggestion, the Ming army would have the greatest chance of winning if they suddenly marched out of the country while the Burmese army was still besieging Mengyang.

But according to the intelligence we have now, the various armies assembled by the Burmese king have not yet arrived, and some are still on the way.

Although victory could be achieved by fighting in this way, the result would most likely be a defeat, without killing a large number of Burmese troops.

What Lord Wei wants is a long-term stable Myanmar, not just defeating the Burmese king.

It is necessary to set up a big trap, trap the main force of the Burmese army inside, and then kill them on a large scale to scare the Burmese people, only then can this goal be achieved.

At this time, there was a map in front of Li Chengliang, a map of the Yunnan border.

"Dad, why are you thinking so much? When my third brother's troops arrive, I will lead the vanguard and we will fight our way to the Burmese capital. We will kill everyone along the way. I don't believe anyone will dare to rebel.

When the time comes, we will just move people from the south to Myanmar to open up the wasteland. This is not what the imperial court did in the past.

After they are defeated, we can settle down and immigrate to the border."

Li Rusong looked at his father staring at the map in deep thought and said with disdain.

Although the Ming army in the southwest was far inferior to the Liaodong army, in Li Rusong's opinion, if they couldn't even defeat the surrounding foreign soldiers, they might as well disband as soon as possible. There was no point in staying.

With superior firearms and cavalry, he didn't believe that he could not defeat the Burmese army on the opposite side.

Li Rusong already knew that the Burmese army had cavalry, or rather, they had no cavalry at all.

In addition to relying on its large numbers, the Burmese army also relied on its war elephants.

When the foreign nations in the southwest fought each other, what they actually competed for was who had more war elephants. Whoever could directly break through the enemy's formation would win the war.

The Burmese King Mang Yinglong has hundreds of war elephants under his command, making him the most powerful force here.

War elephants are so easy to deal with. Just use firearms to beat them and they will become obedient.

Zhuge Liang of the Three Kingdoms used rockets to deal with war elephants, and Prince Mu of the early Ming Dynasty also used firearms to deal with war elephants, with very good results.

"If we can destroy a large number of enemy troops at the beginning, the subsequent battles will be easier to fight."

Li Chengliang glanced at his son and answered seriously.

"Then Dad, you said you have been thinking about it for so long, what do you think?"

From this afternoon till now, Li Chengliang has locked himself in the room to think about tactics, but he has not said a word. This has driven Li Rusong, who was serving him, crazy.

"Meng Yangsi may have a relationship with Mu Changzuo and Wang Ning, but so what? He is an ungrateful person who can never be tamed. It would be better to destroy him with the help of Myanmar."

Finally, Li Chengliang spoke.

"The Burmese army gathered in Mengyang and was bound to seize Guannan Yaguan and Tiebiguan.

According to Mu Changzuo and Luo Rufang, Ganya, Longchuan and Nandian are all unreliable.

Since they are not on the same side as the Ming Dynasty, it is a good opportunity to let them try Mang Yinglong. If he has really colluded with the bandits, let them go and we will deal with them together when the time comes.

Let the Yunnan Army maintain the current front line, just hold Baoshan and Shidian, and prevent the Burmese Army from advancing eastward.

I intend to let the third brother lead the troops to Mengding."

Having said that, Li Chengliang pointed to a location on the map.

Li Rusong came over to take a look. It was a place where the Ming Dynasty and Mubang bordered.

"Dad, I heard that the mountains there are high and the forests are dense, so it's difficult for the army to march."

Li Rusong said with a frown.

Li Rusong had been fighting on the battlefield with Li Chengliang for quite some time and knew about marching and fighting.

Marching and fighting, it can be seen that marching is actually the most important, while fighting is secondary.

If the army can't get to the destination, there's no way to fight this war.

"So, it is unlikely that the Burmese army would attack Ming from there."

Who would have thought that Li Chengliang would say, "Attack them unexpectedly and wait for the main force of the Burmese army to enter the Baoshan and Shidian lines.

My Ming army suddenly appeared in Mubang, and then went north to capture Mengmi, so that the main force of the Burmese army could be left in Longchuan Qianya, and they would have nowhere to escape even if they wanted to. "

Li Chengliang wanted to encircle and annihilate the main force of the Burmese army of 200,000 to 300,000, but this scared Li Rusong.

"Dad, the strategy of war is to surround the enemy on three sides and leave one side open. We won't let the enemy fight to the death with us.

If you surround them like this and leave them no chance of survival, I'm afraid they will fight to the death."

Li Rusong was reckless but not stupid. He knew how to win a battle and how to reduce losses.

The idea of ​​"besieged cities must have gaps" was put forward in "The Art of War" by Sun Tzu, and it is one of the eight principles of employing troops and fighting wars listed in the book.

Surrounding three sides and leaving one side open is a psychological tactic. Specifically, it means that when attacking a city, the city must not be completely surrounded, because if the enemy is trapped in a tight siege with nowhere to escape and sees no way to survive, they will definitely fight to the death.

If you want to make the opponent despair, you must first give him hope. This so-called besieger must be lacking.

If the enemy is surrounded on all sides, it may prompt the enemy commander to make up his mind to fight to the death.

On the contrary, if a gap is deliberately left, it may cause the enemy commander to waver between fleeing or fighting to the death, and at the same time, it will also cause the enemy soldiers to lose their fighting spirit.

"We want them to fight to the death so that we can kill them in large numbers."

But Li Chengliang answered with disdain after hearing his son's reminder.

"But this is still not safe. I am worried about mistakes in Baoshan and Shidian. I have to gather troops in Shunning, Dali and Yongping to prevent accidents in the Baoshan-Shidian line of defense. There is also a second line of defense to stop the enemy from continuing to advance eastward."

Li Chengliang thought about it and said, "But this way, the limited number of troops will be dispersed, which is also a taboo in military strategy."

In the past, the battlefields in Liaodong were mainly fought with crushing blows, and Li Chengliang would never consider encircling and annihilating the enemy.

This time, the battle in Yunnan really gave him a difficult problem, which he had never done before. (End of this chapter)