The days when I ransacked the house in Jinyiwei

Chapter 365 Why not reward Wang Shouren?

Xiyuan, cabinet value room.

There were six people sitting in the duty room, and there was also an angry-looking old man in a second-grade uniform.

The six people sitting are Liang Chu, the chief assistant of the cabinet; Yang Tinghe, the second assistant; Yang Yiqing, Jiang Mian, Mao Ji, the cabinet members; Jin'anhou, and the governor Chang Feng.

Chang Feng is no longer the 20-year-old man in his prime who saved money and eliminated adultery in the late Chenghua years. He was fifty-two years old, and his hair was half gray. Wrinkles also crawled onto his weathered cheeks.

It is true that people have become thinner and young people have become old and decrepit.

Chang Feng's qualifications were there, and he was highly regarded by Emperor Zhengde. Although he is a distinguished military commander, cabinet members often call him when discussing matters.

The current chief minister of the cabinet is Liang Chu. This man is sixty-six years old. His greatest characteristic is - loyalty.

When evaluating an ordinary person, the word "loyalty" is a complimentary word. When evaluating the chief minister of the cabinet, loyalty often means mediocrity.

When Li Dongyang became official five years ago, he strongly recommended to Emperor Zhengde that the shrewd and capable Yang Tinghe should succeed him as the first assistant.

Emperor Zhengde refused. He promoted Liang Chu, the Minister of Civil Affairs in Nanjing, who was far inferior to Yang Tinghe in terms of ability, energy, and qualifications, to join the cabinet in Beijing. And in one step, he directly became the first assistant.

A strong emperor naturally hopes to have a weak chief minister.

This was also the reason why Emperor Chenghua appointed Wan An, the "Long Live Pavilion Elder" who only knew how to kowtow, as his first assistant.

Liang Chu was a good gentleman who was more than loyal, but lacking in scheming and ability.

In the eleventh year of Hongzhi, Liang Chu served as the chief examiner of the Yingtian Township Examination. Treat Jieyuan Tang Yin as a heavenly being.

Liang Chu was excited for a moment and copied Tang Yin's paper. He sent someone to Beijing to give it to his friend Cheng Minzheng. It directly led to the major fraud case in the examination room in the 12th year of Hongzhi's reign.

But Liang Chu had a good reputation among his colleagues. A person who is harmless to humans and animals will naturally be liked by everyone. A group of colleagues petitioned to protect him, so he did not fall into Cheng Minzheng's trap.

It should be said that the future of Tang Yin, the most talented man in Jiangnan, was ruined, and Liang Chu bore the unshirkable responsibility.

As for the new cabinet members Jiang Mian and Mao Ji, they are both capable ministers with quite official reputations.

As an aside, Mao Ji is from Laizhou, Shandong. He is a fellow countryman of a certain obese internet author in later generations. The tomb of Mao Ji is located in Zhang Village, Xishan, west of the city. The author once visited Mao Ji's tomb to pay his respects. When I went there, I happened to see a group of old men and women dancing, oh no, square dancing on the tomb of Mao Ji's tomb.

Back to business. The person standing in the cabinet duty room is Wang Qiong, the Minister of War, Wang Shouren's boss.

Wang Qiong looked so angry that his beard almost stood up with anger. He was helping Wang Shouren fight against injustice.

Wang Qiong said loudly: "Dear elders, Marquis of Jin'an. Wang Shouren pacified the banditry in the three provinces of Southern Jiangxi, Western Fujian, and Eastern Guangdong. However, he did not ask the imperial court to allocate one or two more military pay. This is a great contribution!"

"He fought the battles and took the risks. What happened after the banditry was eliminated? The emperor only praised him a few words, but did not give him a promotion! Even if he is not promoted, the reward title should be upgraded to the rank of minister, right? No!"

"If Wang Shouren is not rewarded, who will be willing to work hard for the court and fight to the death in the future?"

"The emperor is so cold that not only Wang Shouren's heart is cold, but also the hearts of all officials in the world who are brave enough to do their jobs!"

"As cabinet members, why don't you fight for Wang Shouren in front of the emperor?"

Liang Chu had no idea. Wang Qiong made an impassioned speech and said, "According to what you said, it seems that we should admonish the emperor and reward Wang Shouren generously."

Chang Feng, Yang Tinghe, Yang Yiqing, Jiang Mian, and Mao Ji remained silent.

Wang Qiong said angrily: "The chief minister has expressed his position, why are you still silent?"

"Marquis Jin'an, you are Wang Shouren's best friend in life and death! You fought against Liu Jin together and were demoted to Longchang together. When Wang Shouren realized the Tao in Longchang and founded the Xin Xue, you were the witness."

"Logically speaking, you should be the first to stand up and speak for Wang Shouren! Fight for Wang Shouren in front of the emperor!"

"But what about you? You pretend to be deaf and dumb! When did the decisive butcher Chang become a timid woman?"

Chang Feng smiled slightly: "Old Wang, don't be impatient. Sit down and drink some tea to calm down the fire."

Wang Qiong said: "The tea in the cabinet room smells like shrinking. I won't drink it!"

"Marquis Jin'an! Butcher Chang! I don't understand. When Liu Jin ruled the court with one hand, you dared to call him Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong in front of all the civil and military officials."

"It's been less than ten years. Why are you as timid as a mouse now? Don't you even have the courage to fight for your best friend in front of the emperor?"

Chang Feng stood up: "Old Wang, let me tell you why I don't fight for Wang Shouren. Because fighting is useless!"

Wang Qiong asked: "Why is it useless?"

Chang Feng asked Wang Qiong: "In the sixth year of Zhengde, King Anhua rebelled. Qiu Yue led a hundred servants to put down the rebellion. How does Qiu Yue's achievements compare with Wang Shouren's achievements? Who has greater credit?"

Wang Qiong replied: "They are all great achievements. No matter how big or small they are."

Chang Feng nodded and asked again: "How did the emperor treat the hero Qiu Yue, and how did he treat the hero Wang Shouren?"

Wang Qiong replied: "The emperor treated Qiu Yue with great kindness and honor. Not only did he get promoted several levels, but he also handed over the military power of the entire northwest to him. He also made him a count! There is a huge difference between what happened to Wang Shouren!"

Chang Feng asked again: "Do you know why the emperor treats Qiu Yue favorably and Wang Shouren is unkind?"

Wang Qiong said: "I don't know."

Chang Feng followed suit and asked: "What is Qiu Yue's background, and what is Wang Shouren's background?"

Wang Qiong blurted out: "Who doesn't know this? Qiu Yue is a general from the border army. Wang Shouren is a civil servant from Kejia."

Chang Feng nodded: "Yes! The difference between them is that one is a military general and the other is a civil servant."

"The cabinet officer said a few private words behind closed doors. Over the years, the emperor has been seeking to completely take back military power from the hands of civilian officials. Overthrowing the power structure of the court that used civil power to control military power since the Tumubao Incident."

"If the emperor greatly rewards Wang Shouren, the civil servant who led the army, then do you still need me to explain everything that the emperor has done before? Wang Laobutang?"

"So I say that it is useless to fight for Wang Shouren in front of the emperor! The emperor has made up his mind and there is no way he will reward Wang Shouren."

"If you blindly fight for Wang Shouren, it will arouse the emperor's resentment. I'm afraid Wang Shouren's original title of governor of Southern Jiangxi will not be retained!"

Wang Qiong suddenly realized: "That's actually the case."

Chang Feng said: "Wang Laobu Tang, you are Brother Shouren's Bole. I am Brother Shouren's best friend. We both hope that Wang Shouren can realize his ambition of using his knowledge to stabilize the country."

"I won't help him fight for credit or rewards. It's not because I'm cowardly. I'm thinking about him!"

"I advise you not to file another memorial and fight for Wang Shouren."

"Speaking of which, Brother Shouren is a person who is indifferent to fame and fortune. How can fame and fortune be to him? He will not lose heart because of the emperor's lack of kindness."

Wang Qiong bowed his hands respectfully towards Chang Feng: "Master Chang, this is really hard to explain. I have learned a lesson."

Yang Yiqing interjected: "The governor of Southern Gansu serves a term of three years. I am the Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs. At the end of his term, I will entrust him with a higher official position and greater responsibilities."

"Wang Budang, please relax, Wang Shouren is a capable minister like gold, he will always shine and light up the Ming Dynasty's sky!"

Wang Qiong sighed: "Alas. As a summer official of the imperial court, I only know how to fight. I don't understand the emperor's thoughts. After hearing what Marquis Jin'an said, I felt enlightened. I still have to practice!"

Chang Feng laughed out loud: "Lao Wang is ridiculing me. Secretly mocking me as an old court fox who has been practicing for many years, right?"

Wang Qiong waved his hand: "I have absolutely no such intention."

Wang Qiong left the cabinet to check the room. Everyone continued to discuss things.

Liang Chudao: "Next, we will discuss the matter of the Western Yi people in Guangdong. The residents of Guangdong and Guangxi have secretly communicated with the Western Yi people and brought in the foreign goods, which has been banned repeatedly. Chen Bo, the counselor of Guangdong, presented a memorial to the imperial court to issue a decree. All people who secretly deal with the Western Yi goods will be beheaded in public."

"Wu Tingju, the chief minister of Guangdong, had the opposite opinion. He believed that since private trade could not be banned, it was better to make profits by clever means. Taxes were levied on barbarian ships."

"I think that sealing off the country's borders and seas is an ancestral system. Wu Tingju's so-called 'clever approach to gain profit' is actually opportunistic and goes against the ancestral system."

"The ancestral system cannot be tampered with, what do you think?" Chang Feng smiled and said: "As far as I know, Guangdong Councilor Chen Boxian is a local in Panyu, Guangzhou. His family is the largest maritime merchant in the entire Panyu County."

"He naturally hopes that the imperial court will issue a decree prohibiting contact between the common people and the Xiyi people. This way his family and allies can monopolize Guangzhou's maritime trade."

"This means that only the state officials are allowed to set fires, and the people are not allowed to light lamps!"

"Liang Shoufu mentioned the ancestral system. Doesn't it violate the ancestral system for large merchants with government backgrounds such as the Xie Qian family on the southeast coast to engage in smuggling trade with Japanese pirates and Western barbarians?"

"I think it would be better to try out taxing barbarian ships for trade in Guangzhou Port. The tax rate is 10% of the goods landed."

Liang Chu was surprised: "Does the Marquis support Wu Tingju's suggestion?"

Changfeng nodded slightly.

Yang Tinghe, Yang Yiqing, Jiang Mian and Mao Ji also seconded the proposal.

Liang Chu, however, had a troubled expression on his face: "If we report to the emperor and ask for a pilot tax on barbarian ships for trade in Guangzhou Port, I am afraid that Long Yan will be furious!"

"Do you remember that in the twelfth lunar month of the 18th year of Hongzhi's reign, the emperor had been on the throne for several months and had not yet changed his reign title. The envoy of Franji, Pi Leisi, came to Beijing."

"The emperor personally summoned Pi Leisi. Pi Leisi proposed trade with the Ming Dynasty. The emperor rejected him and sent him out of the country. Only the interpreter Ya San was left to work as a fireman in the palace."

"Now that we are bringing up old matters, aren't we saying that the emperor's decision back then was wrong?"

Chang Feng smiled and said: "Liang Shoufu need not worry. Just write a sentence on the draft of Wu Tingju's memorial, and the emperor will be happy to agree."

Liang Chu asked: "Oh? What are you talking about?"

Chang Feng replied: "Simple - 'all the income tax money will be used as military pay'."

Chang Feng, an old fox, had already figured out Emperor Zhengde's situation thoroughly.

What Emperor Zhengde cares about most now is his personal conquest of the Tatars. He will definitely agree to anything that is conducive to the imperial commander's personal expedition.

Yang Tinghe took a sip of tea and said with a smile: "Master Hou is getting more and more slippery."

Seeing that everyone agreed, Liang Chu followed the crowd and said, "Okay. Then let me draw up the votes as we agreed."

This is the taxation and sea opening incident in the twelfth year of Zhengde. This was the first time that the Ming Dynasty legally allowed Westerners to conduct trade in specific locations.

However, only two years have passed. There was a stupid captain of a Franji merchant ship who was dissatisfied with the exploitation of local officials in Guangzhou and actually opened fire on the official ship. In anger, Emperor Zhengde once again banned official and private trade with Xiyi.

It was not until decades later, under the auspices of Yan Song, that the Ming Dynasty began to experiment with foreign trade in specific locations. Later, with the Longqing Switch, Ming Dynasty's foreign trade was completely liberalized.

This discussion about the Xiyuan cabinet room review lasted for two hours. Liang Chu had no idea. Whatever the secondary assistant, cabinet members, and Chang Feng said, he agreed with them.

After the discussion, Chang Feng returned to his house.

Liu Xiaoyan immediately came over and said, "I want to discuss something with you."

Chang Feng asked: "What's the matter?"

Liu Xiaoyan replied: "It's time to marry Qingyun."

Chang Feng frowned: "How old is he? Why are you so anxious?"

Liu Xiaoyan said, "You don't know. Our eldest grandson is a kid. I'm telling you something. You must not punish him."

Chang Feng said: "Just say it."

Liu Xiaoyan said: "He spends all day sneaking around. He teased all the pretty maids in the house. Some of them even did that."

Chang Feng was cold: "What is that thing?"

Liu Xiaoyan said: "Old fool, what do you think it is?"

Chang Feng took a long time to react: "Qingyun, this kid has enlightened himself early enough!"

Liu Xiaoyan said: "So, I thought about finding a family for him as soon as possible. This will save him from being like a monkey and sneaking around in the house."

"Secondly, our family now has a noble marquis. If he makes one of the maids pregnant, it will be a big trouble for him to have a eldest son who is not a legitimate child."

Chang Feng nodded: "Sure. In fact, there are not many descendants of noble families in the capital who get married at the age of twelve or thirteen. But you can't be hasty in choosing a bride for him."

"For a family like ours, whoever we marry is our alliance."

Liu Xiaoyan said: "I have thought about it. What do you think of Xu Guangzuo's second daughter, Ling'er? She is just fifteen this year and she is extremely beautiful."

"That girl looks like me when I was young. She doesn't like rouge and gouache, but only loves swords, guns and sticks. She can definitely control Qingyun."

Chang Feng waved his hand: "No, no. There's a difference in seniority! Xu Guangzuo and I are brothers with different surnames who share life and death. Qingyun has to call Linger second aunt."

Liu Xiaoyan was a little anxious: "You already said that we are relatives of different surnames, not blood relatives!"

"If Ling'er gets married to Qingyun, Dingguo's mansion and Jin'anhou's mansion will be tied together! One will suffer, and the other will prosper."

"The Duke of the Northern Lineage of the King of Zhongshan is an iron-clad top nobleman of the Ming Dynasty. He only knows glory but never loses!"

"You and Fatty Xu can also kiss each other!"

Chang Feng thought for a while and said: "It works. Hey, if they get married, I can take advantage of that old bastard Xu Guangzuo in the future! He will have to call me uncle-in-law when we meet."

Liu Xiaoyan said: "Then it's settled! I will go to Duke Dingguo's Mansion tomorrow to discuss the marriage. Then I will say hello to the Queen Mother and the Empress. Then let the Queen Mother issue a decree to grant the marriage!"

"With Yizhi, this marriage will be more honorable."

Chang Feng nodded: "Sure, you figure it out. Go and call Qingyun."

Not long after, Chang Qingyun came to Chang Feng.

Chang Feng deliberately made a serious face: "Your father has been busy recently. He has food and accommodation in the household department and is not very busy at home. Without discipline, you are becoming more and more of a bastard!"

"I heard that you slept with the maid in the mansion?"

Chang Qingyun glanced at Liu Xiaoyan: "Grandma betrayed me!"

Chang Feng patted the tea table: "What about you? Have you slept?"

Chang Qingyun replied: "Ah, I fell asleep."

Chang Feng asked again: "How many have you slept with?"

Changqing Yun hesitated: "Two"

Chang Feng glared at him: "Huh?"

Chang Qingyun said: "Three, four, five or six."

Chang Feng said angrily: "I can't tell. You are still a pioneer in the romantic circle! That's all, your grandmother has arranged a marriage for you. After the marriage, take all the maids you have slept with as your companions!"

"Since you slept with someone, you have to give them a status."

Chang Qingyun asked: "Huh? Engagement? Whose girl is it?"

Chang Feng replied: "Xu Ling from Dingguo Duke's Mansion."

Chang Qingyun's expression changed upon hearing this: "Ah? That dominatrix?!"

(End of this chapter)