The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

Zhang Yong was very concerned about whether the emperor would go out to the grassland in the beginning of spring, and Zhang Zhou did not give a clear answer.

So much so that Zhang Yong never got first-hand information from Zhang Zhou.

After Zhang Yong left, Sun Shangqi came in first. He was preparing to return to Yongping Mansion after completing his errand to report back to Beijing. However, he vaguely heard that he did not have to go back. The purpose of visiting Zhang Zhou was also to know clearly about the future. What is his errand.

"You should have been promoted." Zhang Zhou said, "The Jinyi Guards command the Qianshi to reward you for your hard work in the past few years, but the specifics are whether you stay in Beizhen Fusi as the town's envoy, or you go back to the Yongping Port to take care of things. Your Majesty didn’t tell me about this, so I don’t know yet.”

Sun Shangqi was very excited after hearing this.

Three years ago, he was only a member of a hundred households. Now he skipped a thousand households and directly wanted to be promoted to a minister, and he was still working in a practical position, which made him particularly grateful to Zhang Zhou for his support.

Sun Shangqi said: "I am willing to do some hard work to repay Your Majesty and Sir for their kindness."

Zhang Zhou said: "Don't say that. I didn't help you with anything. The main thing is that you did a lot of things for the court, and you did it regardless of danger or credit. Even if no one mentioned it at the time, it will always be known."

"Yes Yes."

Of course Sun Shangqi knew it.

When the work of a subordinate is the only thing that can be recognized by the superiors, then you must have a good boss. Is it the same if you work for Zhang Zhou or for others?
"Come back in a few days and check the situation first. The connection between Yongping Mansion and Jinyiwei will be very deep. After the past year, no matter what errand you are on, you will be very busy." Zhang Zhou said.

"Yes." Sun Shangqi got the answer he wanted. He stood up and bowed to Zhang Zhou again before leaving.

Zhang Zhou picked up something casually, handed it over and said: "Open it after you go back. Some confidential things should be kept as private as possible. Now a new system may need to be established, involving scouts and spies. The specifics are I can’t tell you clearly. Come over when you have time and I’ll tell you again.”

Sun Shangqi was startled.

Whether he is the envoy of Jinyiwei North Town, Fusi Town, or going to Yongping Mansion as the special envoy of Jinyiwei, it is a great honor in his opinion.

Who would have thought that he would be given a "special task" now, giving him the opportunity to further become the head of a new department. Even if Sun Shangqi didn't know what he was going to do, he could feel that he was going to become famous. .

……

……

After Sun Shanqi, Zhang Zhou watched the play for a while, and then two more people came in.

The person behind came in and then exited first. Only the Caihuang family in front came up and came closer with a step that made Zhang Zhou frown, just like ordinary folk girls when they see an official. , first kneel down and salute.

"stand up."

Zhang Zhou just asked Caihuang to stand up, but did not let her sit down, because Zhang Zhou didn't think this woman could help him much.

Caihuang hurriedly handed over the previous account book and said: "Master, it's not the end of the year already. In the first year, some mines in Yongping Mansion have already had harvests, and more than a dozen new mines have been opened to produce iron. There are four more. This is the summary of production from the beginning to the end of the year. You have seen it."

Zhang Zhou picked it up and flipped through it casually.

The iron mines in Yongping Prefecture are divided into official kilns and private kilns. The so-called official kilns are not run by the government, but were set up by Zhang Zhou. The private kilns also have Zhang Zhou's shares in them, and he even holds the majority share. , the exploration location, etc. were also provided by Zhang Zhou, and the remaining management and other matters were left to some local officials.

It seems to be giving them benefits, but in fact most of them should return to the imperial court in the form of taxes and shares.

Didn’t the ministers of the DPRK help impeach Zhang Zhou for using public affairs for personal gain? What Zhang Zhou established seemed to be a universal industry, but in fact it was still accumulating resources for the Ming Dynasty.

"Well done." Zhang Zhou nodded in approval, "After one year, I can bring more than 6,000 taels of mining tax to the court, and I can get more than 19,000 taels, which is more than I expected. many."

Caihuang said respectfully: "This is only the first year. If the output can be increased in the next year, it can at least be doubled several times. But compared with the government-run mines, it is still a little...less."

Zhang Zhou put down the account book, looked up at the slightly greedy woman, and asked: "Why do you want to compare it with the government-run one? In terms of manpower and material resources, is it comparable?"

Caihuang said: "If the master allows it, these ores can be smelted locally, which will save some transportation costs. After all, after being smelted into iron, it will be much easier to transport it out."

"No." Zhang Zhou immediately vetoed, "Currently, the imperial court has only opened up part of the mining power. As for subsequent iron smelting and other matters, it is not something that the private sector can undertake. If these irons are resold privately, or even sold to foreign countries, then How to solve it? Can you bear this responsibility? "

"That's what the master reminded me." Caihuang quickly said in a sincere and frightened tone.

Zhang Zhou said: "I am not your master, there is no need to call me that."

Caihuang was slightly embarrassed.

Calling Zhang Zhou "Master" not only seems to be addressing the official master, but also seems to regard Zhang Zhou as the person in charge of his family, but Zhang Zhou doesn't seem to take this trick.

"The report is done. If you have nothing else to do, you can leave first." Zhang Zhou didn't seem to want to talk nonsense to Caihuang.

Mrs. Caihuang hesitated and said, "I still have something I want to ask you for advice."

"Say." Zhang Zhou looked casual.

Caihuang said: "I heard that there is a woman in my family who has gone out. She is already a guilty woman, but her whereabouts have never been found. I hope you can help me find her. If you want to see someone alive... it is best... to die. You can also see corpses.”

Zhang Zhou said: "Since you are not a member of the Huang family, what qualifications do you have to ask? Besides, you are also a member of the Cai family, so this has nothing to do with you."

"But my family wants to know something, and they want me to ask them." Cai Huang lowered her head and said, "She is a sinner, and she may have evil intentions. If she offends you, it will not be good. Such people are prone to hold grudges, and they may affect your future plans."

Zhang Zhou's eyes were blazing, as if he could see through Caihuang's thoughts at a glance.

This woman, like an aggressive rooster, seemed to have thought she was Zhang Zhou's "top horse" in communicating with local officials in Yongping Mansion, but unexpectedly, a "sister-in-law" appeared, that is, the Huang Zhao family. Even now, the Huang Zhao family There was no direct conflict with her yet, but she could already feel the crisis and seemed to want to nip the crisis in the bud.

But she miscalculated.

Zhang Zhou said: "Since she is a guilty woman, she has nothing to do with your family. She is also sent to Yongping Mansion. From now on, you don't have to worry about her life or death, or her way out! When you go down, take my handwriting , receive the reward, and go back tomorrow and tell them that there is no need for the visit at the beginning of the year, and there is no need to give me gifts. "

Caihuang said hurriedly: "It has been spread in the local area that His Majesty will reward you with Yongping Mansion as a fiefdom. I and the others are honored to have the opportunity to become your household."

Zhang Zhou said: "Your taxes and corvee are not responsible to me. I only take care of one side of the affairs for your majesty and the court, and they only involve business and trade. They have nothing to do with each other. Take my words with you, and everyone can take care of their own affairs from now on." , If someone really wants to use my name to cause trouble, I will be the first to not forgive him.”

"Yes."

Caihuang looked very cautious, but whispered, "Sir, I will skip the visit at the beginning of the year, but I hope you can understand my intention to honor you. This time I came to Beijing, and I also brought their The greetings and gifts have been prepared and left at the Yongping Mansion Hall.”

"Yongping Mansion Guild Hall? You are well prepared." Zhang Zhou sneered. In the past, Zhang Zhou went to Yongping Prefecture to mine, and he had an interest dispute with the local government. He was a sinner who brought disaster to the country and the people, and he was incompatible with the local government.

but now……

The place worshiped him as a god, and even began to regard himself as a member of the Zhang Zhou clan. The Yongping Mansion Guild Hall seemed to be its own sect, competing with Shanxi merchants, Hui merchants, etc.

Caihuang said: "I am not using your banner, but some people know that they are from Yongping Mansion, and they take special care when doing business. They also know that the feng shui of that place is good and can produce noble people. This is the list of gifts. Please read."

With that said, he also handed over the gift list.

Zhang Zhou took a quick look and found that it was indeed "light on courtesy but heavy on affection". He also seemed to know that he was not short of money, and the gifts given to him were strictly speaking not something that could be bought with ordinary money.

Knowing that he likes to listen to operas, there are three opera troupes alone, because the opera troupes in this era are all composed of actors, and with the deed of sale, they can be packaged and sold directly.

In addition, there are singers, dancers and so on.

Coupled with some fields and real estate in Yongping Prefecture, as well as many properties purchased by Zhang Zhou nearby, the value alone... is more than what they earned from mining and other matters last year. several times.

In Zhang Zhou's view, these people were investing in him.

Zhang Zhou smiled and said: "I am from Jiangnan, not from Yongping Mansion. The so-called noble people should be like you, madam."

"I am blessed with your nobility." Caihuang said hurriedly with a smile.

Zhang Zhou nodded and said: "If you can speak, I will give you a reward and bring the gift list back. What I want is the stability of the place, not these visible wealth. Remember to tell them that they don't need to make plans for me! Also , Don’t even think about meeting those dignitaries in the capital, I’ve seen all those little moves, don’t try to hide it from me.”

Caihuang's body was slightly shaken.

As an ambitious woman, she not only wanted to curry favor with Zhang Zhou, but also wanted to be more active in the political arena.

Obviously, Zhang Zhou couldn't hide these little moves.

"I bear in mind my teachings, and I resigned." Caihuang even had to wipe her sweat a little when she went out. For her, meeting Zhang Zhou was no different from meeting the living King of Hell.

……

……

Li Dongyang Mansion.

As the right minister of the Ministry of Justice, Li Shishi came to visit. Since the two were old friends, this time Li Shishi also came to explain to Li Dongyang about his performance in the court, and also to report the progress of Xie Qian's case.

"I didn't mention those things unintentionally, but someone from the Supervisor of Ceremonies came to clarify. As for what specific words were said, I didn't mention them. I just stated that Cai Guogong was asked to take charge of military affairs and other matters. It was also to prevent the military affairs of the Beijing camp from being discussed. Change……"

Li Shishi painstakingly explained.

After all, he did something that was contrary to the traditional civil servants and indirectly helped Zhang Zhou. In order to avoid being alienated, he could only pretend to be a grandson to Li Dongyang in this way.

Li Dongyang said: "I know your nature. Even if it is not your intention, you are too concerned about what the internal officials say, which is not good."

Li Dongyang didn't break up because of his friendship with Li Shishi.

Li Shishi sighed: "The situation is like this and no one can help it. And Mr. Xie Ge... The Ministry of Punishment sends people to visit Fusi in Beizhen every day. I have been able to see him in the past two days and he is in good condition. I can’t ask in detail, but based on previous communication and understanding, there is still no torture.”

"Yeah." Li Dongyang looked a little more concerned when he heard Xie Qian's situation.

Li Shishi said: "The Ministry of Punishment has drafted a memorial, requesting Your Majesty to hand over Mr. Xie Ge's case to the Ministry of Punishment for questioning. Since it is not a serious crime, it can be left alone. Everyone in the Ministry of Punishment is willing to work hard for this, but Wang Shangshu... "

Li Dongyang frowned.

Wang Shi was unexpectedly promoted to the position of Minister of the Ministry of Justice. Before, Wang Shi was considered not qualified enough, and even traditional civil servants were not able to win over Wang Shi.

Wang Shi also became a wavering neutral faction in the court. Maybe everyone felt that Wang Shi, the Minister of Punishment, would not last long.

But regarding Xie Qian's matter, it seems that Li Dongyang had to rely on Wang Shi again.

Li Dongyang said: "Yu Qiao's matter depends more on His Majesty's will. Just relying on you superiors will not help. As for the person in charge of the Punishment Department... there is no need for him to come forward to help. You have performed your duties in the Punishment Department for many years, so for Jian You should also know and understand things like prison. I heard that you recently asked for resignation. Why bother? "

The reason why Li Dongyang relies heavily on Li Shishi cannot be said to have poor vision.

In addition to the two being township party members, it was also because Li Shishi gave people a free and easy impression, that is, he did not argue.

An official who wants to resign and return to his hometown at any time will give people a sense of intimacy and make people feel that he does not seek fame, and Li Shishi happens to be this kind of person.

In other words, this is his personality as an official.

Li Shishi sighed: "Although the court is good, it is also tiring. Now that the court is filthy, when will we see the blue sky?"

"Ah."

Li Dongyang feels the same way.

This is what Li Dongyang likes to hear.

Zhang Zhou is compared to the dark clouds that pollute the imperial court. Only by sweeping away the dark clouds can the Ming Dynasty clear the sea, Yan, and rivers...

"Zheng Bo failed in the rural examination recently. I plan to let him go out to practice. You can make friends in the south and give him some advice." Li Dongyang said.

Li Shishi smiled and said, "It's easy to say. Uncle Zheng has been sick in the past few years and has not been visited. Is he feeling better now?"

"Ah."

Li Dongyang was embarrassed to talk too much about his son's illness, so he wouldn't say that his son had Hualiu, right?
"I do have some friends in the south, and I can make some arrangements for him, but it is said that... Yan Shenggong's house is... very close to you, isn't it? Don't you plan to let him go to Qufu?" Li Shishi just came from The chief envoy of Shandong was transferred here. He was very concerned about the relationship between Li Dongyang and the Kong family.

This is which pot is not opened and which pot is lifted.

Li Dongyang said: "Let him go to the south, not to the east. Read thousands of books and travel thousands of miles, go out and have some experience, and your horizons will be broadened. As for the Yan Sheng Gong sect, it will no longer have any relevance in the future. Also. Don’t mention it in front of me again.” (End of Chapter)