My uncle's name is Zhu Di

Chapter 183 You Are All Emperor's Disciples
Jian Yi didn't cause Xu Jingchang any trouble at all, and he could even be said to cooperate fully. He approved more than a dozen new subjects at once, all of whom were outstanding in various departments.

Send them down to serve as magistrates and deal with Shandong affairs.

The list was handed over to Zhu Di, and it was sent in the morning, and it was written and approved in the afternoon. Not only did he agree, but he also let everyone on the list enter the palace for a banquet.

When this decree came down, everyone was shocked.

It stands to reason that a dozen or so county magistrates and officials as big as sesame seeds and mung beans deserve such kindness from the emperor?

Could it be a mistake?
Facts have proved that Zhu Di not only entertained banquets, but also had extremely high standards.

Good food and wine, even the prince and Duke Ding Xu Jingchang as companions.

Zhu Di glanced around and found that among all the county magistrates, the number one scholar was Zuo Yutian.

Zhu Di smiled, "Zhuangyuan Lang, why don't you enjoy the blessings in the Imperial Academy, why do you want to be released?"

Zuo Yutian hurriedly got up and replied: "Your Majesty, I was born as a petty official. I was lucky enough to pass Enke and get the first prize. But I have limited writing skills, so I really can't be promoted to the Imperial Academy. Instead of staying in the capital to waste state money and people's wealth, Why don’t you let the county magistrate out to do something for the common people, which is also to repay the king’s kindness.”

Zhu Di glanced at Xu Jingchang, "Dingguo Gong, what do you say?"

Xu Jingchang smiled and said: "Your Majesty, in the past, the Imperial Academy studied history and scholarship, and it also had the Confucian meaning of respecting teachers and respecting the way. Therefore, those who rank high in the imperial examination and can be selected for the Imperial Academy are the essence of the essence and are highly valued. But now Your Majesty The strategy of employing people has changed, the direction of the imperial examinations has changed, and the standards for evaluating talents have also changed. I believe that ministers who can really do things for the people and share the worries of the society should be reused."

Zhu Di smiled and nodded, "Listen to you, the number one scholar went to be the magistrate, isn't he Qu Cai?"

Xu Jingchang said with a smile: "If the court doesn't take it seriously, how can His Majesty give a banquet?"

Zhu Di couldn't help clapping his hands and laughing, "Ding Guogong still knows what I'm thinking. Well said, the county magistrate is not a petty official, but a real Bailihou, the emperor of a county!"

Hearing the word "emperor", all the new scholars stood up, trembling and standing in fear, not knowing what the emperor was going to say.

Zhu Di smiled and said: "Don't be nervous, I'm just chatting casually with you... They say that the sky is high and the emperor is far away. I am in the capital, and all I can look after are the six departments and nine ministers. I have no intention of doing things outside. You are here When you go to a local area and take charge of a county, most of the time, you do things based on your own conscience and talent. With a kind heart, you can benefit the people of one side.

Zhu Di snorted and said: "You should also remember some things. Although I can't keep an eye on the place all the time, as long as someone does something unkind, I can't keep it from me. If I can deal with the Kong family, I can also deal with it." Deal with you, so you have to take care of yourself and don't trap yourself, understand?"

"I understand!" Everyone agreed one after another.

Zhu Di said again: "Let's go back to the county magistrate. Don't look at only seven ranks, and the official position is not high, but what do the common people call you? Master Qingtian! Parents and officials! You are the heaven of the common people and the parents of the common people. The court in the eyes of the common people is You people, you are the incarnation of me among the people."

Zhu Di was not exaggerating at all, and Xu Jingchang knew very well that when he was working in the court, he paid attention to the rules everywhere... because the court has a complete process, and the various yamen supervise each other and check and balance each other.

You can make a fuss, but you can't let your temper go, you must figure out the rules, and there must be no serious omissions that will make people catch the pigtails.

But it's different when it comes to localities, especially at the magistrate level. He has great power and can control everything.

Money and food, criminal names, education, bandit suppression... everything that can be counted belongs to the county magistrate.

And no one is restraining from the side.

A county magistrate, with good intentions, can definitely benefit one party.

Of course, wanting to be greedy for ink and do evil, accumulate tens of thousands of family properties, and drive people to ruin, is just a thought.

"Returning to Your Majesty, the ministers have to be blessed by heaven to pass the imperial examinations and gain fame. Now that they enter the court as officials and are released as county magistrates...it all depends on the mighty grace of heaven. No matter what, the ministers will not dare to live up to the grace of heaven. Please rest assured, Your Majesty. "

Zuo Yutian took the lead again.

Zhu Di was very satisfied after hearing these words, "Although those who passed the imperial examination are all disciples of the emperor, you who came out of Enke and passed the palace examination are the first batch of Jinshi in the Yongle Dynasty. In my heart, you are the real emperor. Disciples. I gave a banquet today, not only for my subjects, but also for my students. I hope you all will be good students."

As Zhu Di raised his glass, Xu Jingchang and Zhu Gaochi also raised their glasses and drank with them.

At the moment of drinking, Xu Jingchang glanced at these new scholars and found that some of them had red eye circles. He was really touched.

The Son of Heaven is aloof, he is half a god, and those old fried dough sticks can't stand it, let alone these new scholars.

Although most of them have been masters and scribes in the local area and have experienced too much, they have never served the emperor or enjoyed the treatment of the emperor's disciples.

So for them, the first half of their lives was completely wasted, and their brand new life began from the moment they became a Jinshi.

It is no exaggeration to say that Zhu Di started their second life.

"The ministers will bear in mind His Majesty's teachings, and they will definitely live up to the grace of God."

Zhu Di smiled, and said again: "Going to Shandong is not just about being an official, there are many things to do. Prince, you can talk about it when you come back from Shandong."

Zhu Gaochi hurriedly said: "Yes, at present, there are still many refugees in Shandong who have not returned home smoothly. Large areas of fertile land are barren, bandits are rampant, murder and extortion occur from time to time. Local officials need to recruit the people, reclaim wasteland, build water conservancy, and work hard to restore people's livelihood. It is also necessary to clean up the banditry, suppress the powerful, and protect the people...all of these are much heavier burdens than officials in other places."

With so many things happening, everyone present was a little startled, and their hearts couldn't help but hang up.

Zhu Di nodded and looked at Xu Jingchang again.

Xu Jingchang said with a smile: "Don't be afraid. Your Majesty will send you to do things in the local area. He will definitely arrange personnel to protect you properly. In addition, to restore people's livelihood and build water conservancy, the imperial court can also arrange some money to assist in the recovery. There will be a meeting soon. There is a batch of grain shipped from Annan, and 30 shi can be allocated to be shipped to Shandong... All in all, the imperial court will not let you fight alone."

Hearing this, Zuo Yutian and the others breathed a sigh of relief.

If someone shelters them, they don't have to worry about their personal safety, and they can get money and food support.

If it can't be done well, it will be unjustifiable.

"Your Majesty, in the past, the ministers and others worked at the lower levels. This time, being able to take charge of the government is just a way to show off your ambitions, share the worries of the emperor, and solve the problems of the people."

Zhu Di nodded happily, "It's best for you to think so, but don't be careless. There are still a lot of tyrants in the local area. They have a lot of tricks. Some people are desperate and crazy, and some are used to using money and beauty to seduce you. You can You have to be careful, and don't mistake yourself for the country!"

The Xinke Scholars agreed again, and everyone thought a little more about it. If the emperor told them, they would never dare to be careless.

The banquet was still going on, and there were two more glasses of wine. Zhu Di was in a good mood, so he took the initiative to say: "Zhuangyuan Lang, you suggest that the allowance and the official duties be put together. I have issued an order. From this month onwards, I will be loyal to my duties and pay the allowance. Only half of the officials are issued. Your suggestion has saved the court a lot of expenses."

half?
Zuo Yutian was still a little hesitant, because in his mind, those who were loyal to their duties must be those who did a good job and were loyal to state affairs.Out of a hundred officials, if ten can get it, it is considered a great gift from heaven.

How can you save money by distributing according to half of the officials? What is the reason for this?
Xu Jingchang is very clear about this matter, the main problem lies in the definition of dedication... The Ministry of Officials believes that as long as there is no accident, it is considered as dedication.

It's hard to say who did a good job, and it's clear who can't do it well. Just go to the Ministry of Punishments and Dali Temple to check and deduct those officials who were beheaded and dismissed because of the case. Get a stipend.

It perfectly interprets that as long as there are no mistakes, it is the greatest credit.

That's why Zhu Di asked that the dedication award be given to only half of the people at most...According to common sense, this alone can save more than 20 taels, but in fact it only saved more than [-] taels.

Xu Jingchang also knew the reason, that is, the Ministry of Officials conveniently increased the share of Yingtian stickers.

Therefore, wanting to squeeze out some oil and water from the mouth of the official is really like going to heaven.

But in any case, it was still saved without increasing the amount, which is considered Zhu Di's good skill.

"Come, get my gift."

While talking, Hou Xian held up a plate, and inside it was a very delicate sword, less than two feet long, but very beautiful in shape and decorated with chiseled gold.

Zhu Di took it, looked at it in his hand, and handed it to Zuo Yutian, "Look at it."

Zuo Yutian held it in fear and fear, and saw four words on the hilt of the sword: Disciple of the Son of Heaven!

He was shocked all over, raised his head in disbelief, and looked at Zhu Di stupidly.

At this time Xu Jingchang smiled and said: "Duke Zhuangyuan, as your majesty said earlier, although there are many disciples of the son of heaven, you are the ones who are truly recognized by your majesty. This imperial bestowed saber is the best proof."

Hearing this, Zuo Yutian was already trembling all over, couldn't help but knelt down on the ground, holding the sword high in both hands, and said excitedly: "My emperor's kindness is so overwhelming, it's hard to repay."

Zhu Di smiled and said: "No need, you just need to remember to serve the country and the people, and have a clear conscience."

While speaking, he waved his hand again, and the eunuchs brought up more than a dozen swords, one for each of them.

"Don't say I'm stingy, everyone has a share."

Of course, this everyone does not include Zhu Gaochi and Xu Jingchang.

"Cousin, I'm a little envious."

Xu Jingchang rolled his eyelids, "Really? I don't seem to feel anything... By the way, I have a treasured sword bestowed by the emperor."

Zhu Gaochi's face darkened, your family's imperial gifts are piled up, no wonder he doesn't care.

(End of this chapter)