Red Mansion: I am Jia Lian

Chapter 313 Too hasty

There are many ways for civil servants to resist. The most common one is to bring up another matter when a stalemate occurs on one matter.

The ambitious Liang Daoyuan had not intended to bring this up now, but the emperor was busy. He hadn't figured out the budget system yet, and then he added cabinet members, and now he had to deal with the performance evaluation system. This was going to force the cabinet to death. Couldn't they do it one by one? Emperor Chenghui said, of course not. The country was in such a state of decline that he wanted to complete the task in one day.

"Go ahead!" Emperor Chenghui remained calm. It was bound to happen, and it was nothing more than repeated tugs and pulls. It was not impossible to replace the entire cabinet, but it would be too ugly to do so and would undermine the emperor's prestige.

This is the truth. If you are an emperor and you always overturn the table, it only shows that you are incompetent and lack the ability to control your subordinates.

"Many censors in Guangdong and Guangxi jointly submitted an investigation report. After Wang Ziteng became the governor-general of Guangdong and Guangxi, he imposed heavy taxes, attacked his colleagues, appointed private individuals, colluded with the Western Barbarians, and formed a private army. He seemed to be plotting a rebellion."

Liang Daoyuan started with a big question. How could this happen? Why didn't these censors report directly to the emperor, but instead went through the cabinet route? The explanation was simple: for safety.

Wang Ziteng did a lot of things in Guangdong and Guangxi, and Emperor Chenghui basically knew about them. If he wanted to fight for these crimes, he could be accused. If he didn't fight for them, it wouldn't be a big deal.

The purpose of collecting money is to build a new navy, after all, this is the most expensive monster. According to Western warships, it is normal for a warship to have hundreds of cannons, not counting the price of the ship, but the price of the cannon is not a small number. Wang Ziteng can only look at the tax on foreign trade, but cannot touch it. What should he do? He also wants to make Annan Hou a real one.

How much money did the Guangdong-Guangxi agricultural tax and head tax earn? If there was no foreign trade, it would be a poor mountain valley. Let alone the Qin and Han dynasties, even in the Northern Song Dynasty, the development of the areas south of Huguang was insufficient, let alone Lingnan? That is, in the Southern Song Dynasty, it was necessary to develop.

Without money and wanting to build a navy, Wang Ziteng had to find another way. Wang Ziteng chose to plunder the local area and crack down on smuggling, and then he caught some local gentry and officials. The bad thing was that Wang Ziteng did not destroy the opium he seized, but sold it again. This has already cut off the financial resources of many people. If you want to be upright, others can't do anything about it, but you, Wang Ziteng, are not a white lotus.

When it comes to plundering the local area, it is actually very simple. It starts with cracking down on smuggling. There should not be too many gentry involved in smuggling in the coastal areas. Wang Ziteng cracked down on smuggling. Pulling out the carrots and bringing out the mud, you must enforce the law impartially, kill those who should be killed, and imprison those who should be imprisoned. It is just to simply make people hate you, at most fabricate some charges and falsely accuse them. Wang Ziteng directly offered a price to those gentry, and paid the money to release them.

There is another thing. The arrogant soldiers and generals brought by Wang Ziteng have also bullied men and women and robbed land in the local area. You are evil just like me!

This piece of dirty information had already come to Liang Daoyuan's attention a long time ago, and he had been keeping it under wraps until it was thrown out at this moment.

How could Emperor Chenghui not know? If he knew, why didn't he care? It's very simple. He could see that Wang Ziteng was defaming himself. He knew that Long Jinwei had many spies in Guangzhou, but he still did this. He was not stupid, but took the initiative to hand over the handle to the emperor. When he was in the Western Regions, Wang Ziteng had done even more outrageous things. Among them, the most common thing he did was to resell Hu Ji! If Wang Ziteng hadn't taken the lead, how could Wu Yuhui have so many Hu Ji.

In other words, Wang Ziteng has done more outrageous things, so the incident in Guangdong and Guangxi is nothing. Wang Ziteng is not afraid! Are the common people at the bottom considered human beings? Is Hu Ji considered human beings?
Wang Ziteng knew that he would be impeached, but he didn't expect the impeachment to come so late.

Speaking of self-defilement, Wang Jian did it, Xiao He did it. I can only say that the imperial power is so fucked up. As long as you don't want to rebel, and don't want to be arrested on false charges, you can take the initiative to do something bad to save your life.

"Have someone send the files to the emperor." Emperor Chenghui knew the truth, but he could only pretend he didn't know. He just didn't know whether Liang Daoyuan knew it or not.

In any case, Emperor Chenghui had to be tough at this time and could not be thrown off by what Liang Daoyuan said, so he added decisively: "The budget system must be finalized and implemented next year, and the performance evaluation system must be completed and approved by me before the end of the year and implemented next year." He said this calmly, and after a slight pause, he emphasized: "These two matters cannot be rejected. If the cabinet does not agree, I will issue an imperial decree."

Zhongzhi means that the emperor and the cabinet cannot reach an agreement on a certain matter, and the emperor is forced to exercise supreme power. Once the emperor does this, all members of the cabinet can only ask for his blessing.

The reason is very simple. In principle, any policy of this dynasty is promulgated and supervised by the cabinet. Now the emperor directly bypasses the cabinet. Is there any meaning for the cabinet to exist?
At this point, Emperor Chenghui had left no room for negotiation. Either accept and be responsible for the execution, or retire now. Otherwise, it would be known that this emperor had set a precedent for issuing imperial decrees, which would bring shame to everyone.

Emperor Chenghui also had another meaning. You are dragging your feet on the budget system. I know very well that the account has not been settled yet.

Don't think it's incredible. The emperor can only directly command a few dozen ministers who are most trusted by him. When the ministers below have irreconcilable conflicts with the emperor, some ministers choose to resign directly, saying that they can't do this job and whoever loves them will do it. Some ministers choose to obey, saying that power is too tempting and there is no need to fight the emperor to death. Some ministers choose to drag their feet, agreeing to the emperor's orders in person but not executing them, or executing them randomly.

The third type of ministers are the most common. Don’t ask why. The reason is the art of struggle.

Generally speaking, officials below would definitely resist things like the performance evaluation system. I am here to enjoy the good life as an official, why are you tired, you silly boy?

If the emperor and the cabinet are united, or the cabinet is strong enough, they can also carry it out. For example, Zhang Juzheng said that whoever doesn't do it will be kicked out, and he only looks at KPI.

The current situation is the third one. Under the pressure of the imperial edict, Kong Zhao stood up, clasped his hands, bowed and said: "We obey!" The wording was very clear.

Emperor Chenghui knew what the old man was thinking, and added simply: "If you can't do it next year, or don't do it well, the ministers will take care of it."

Very direct, if you don't work hard, get out of here, I won't keep you. Emperor Chenghui knew these civil officials too well, so he left no room for them.

Why not just replace all the cabinet ministers? Again, it would be too embarrassing.

Things have come to this point, unless you are truly irrelevant and are willing to go home and retire, the cabinet ministers can only resolutely carry out the order, and they must speed up the process so as not to give the emperor an excuse to fire you.

The previous Emperor Chenghui was timid, not because he didn't want to do it, but because he was constrained by the group of small loyal princes headed by the emperor. Now that the biggest threat has been eliminated, the emperor doesn't want to endure it anymore.

The cabinet meeting ended in a bitter atmosphere. Although no details were released, it was visible that the five cabinet ministers immediately summoned several of their subordinates to hold meetings after the meeting.

Under the pretext of inspection, when Jia Lian was enjoying a corrupt life in the south of the city, someone was banging on the door.

When the idle people squatting near the door gathered around, the door opened. Zhuzi took a look and said, "It's Uncle Xia, one of us!" The front was a call to be laid off, and the back was a notification.

The idle people in society withdrew, and Xia Gang wiped the non-existent cold sweat from his forehead: "This place is a den of dragons and tigers."

Jia Lian appeared in the courtyard and looked at Xia Gang and said, "Don't spread rumors about dragons and tigers. Be careful with your words, or I will sue you for slander."

Xia Gang smiled and didn't take it seriously. He stepped forward and said, "I'm alone and I came here secretly. You are so good. There were at least ten people at the door just now. If Zhuzi had come out a little later, I would have been beaten. Can this be considered an injustice to you?" "Nonsense, who would knock on the door? There is not even a visiting card." Jia Lian smiled and led the person in. He was not surprised at all that Xia Gang could come.

"Have you heard anything?" Xia Gang looked mysterious. Jia Lian walked in and sat on the kang without even turning his head. "What did I hear? Explain it to me."

"The cabinet meeting this morning." Xia Gang pointed it out directly. Jia Lian shook his head: "I didn't attend it, so I don't know."

Xia Gang, who was sitting down, couldn't help but sigh: "What a coincidence that he didn't let you go today. His Majesty really loves you!"

Jia Lian understood what was meant, picked up his wine glass and clinked it with his own before putting it down and filling it up himself before asking, "Please be more specific."

Xia Gang came to report the news, so he naturally told everything he knew. Jia Lian was stunned for a while after hearing it, and smacked his lips softly: "Tsk, this is really anxious."

"There's no way to say anything about this. I think that your job as the Imperial Censor and Inspector General should not be in vain." Xia Gang nodded lightly, which should be Xia Shouzhong's intention.

Jia Lian shook his head; "Your uncle can't command me." Xia Gang was not angry at such a disrespectful remark, and nodded in agreement: "My uncle said the same thing."

"Sharing your worries also requires dividing the tasks. You can do the things that are your responsibility, but not the other things." Jia Lian's attitude was clear. Xia Gang did not regret it. He nodded and continued drinking.

After eating and drinking, Xia Gang simply left. When Jia Lian was leaning against the stool in a daze, the two sisters appeared to clean up the mess.

Jia Lian, who held the teacup without taking a sip, stood up and walked around in circles in annoyance. He was very hesitant about whether he should get involved in this matter.

Jia Lian certainly supports the budget system, which is his own suggestion. But the performance evaluation system is different!
It is very important to rectify the administration of officials, but in Jia Lian's opinion, the performance evaluation system should be implemented after the budget system has been implemented for a year, so that the officials can be screened first. Only then can the performance evaluation system be introduced, so that problems can be found and solved in a targeted manner. Now it is like trying to do everything at once, which is bound to cause chaos.

Let me put it this way, never overestimate the integrity of officials. To give a simple example, for the sake of political achievements, the predecessor made the data look good and was promoted. The next official can only acquiesce due to unspoken rules. Faced with the excellent data left by the predecessor, those who do not want to improve can just lie down, while those who want to improve can only increase the pressure to produce better data, leaving a bigger pit for the next official.

As long as officials only pursue political achievements, they will eventually exhaust all resources.

Whether the implementation of a system can benefit local people often depends on whether local officials can go deep into the grassroots to understand the actual situation.

Given the morality of ancient officials, can we expect them to go deep into the grassroots to understand the actual situation? Whatever policies are passed down from above, they are enforced by the lower levels.

After thinking it over again and again, Jia Lian decided not to get involved. The performance evaluation system would only make officials more tired, not re-edit the fish scale register. As long as it did not involve land annexation, nothing serious would happen in the short term.

However, we cannot do nothing. We still have to do something. Not to mention preparing for a rainy day, we also have to give those people who have fled to the city to make a living more opportunities to find a way to survive.

Report on Promoting Industry and Commerce, Strengthening Maritime Trade, and Laying the Foundation for Increasing Fiscal and Tax Revenue in the Coming Year

The title of Jia Lian's memorial was so plain and simple. Instead of waiting for a great uprising to shake the foundation of the Zhou Dynasty, it would be better to take the initiative to give birth to a new class.

Even if Jia Lian cannot see it in this lifetime, he must leave a way out for future generations.

Jia Lian was still summoned to the palace, not because of the legal examination, but for other reasons.

In the Qianqing Palace, the unhappy Emperor Chenghui threw a report in Jia Lian's face: "Take a look!"

Jia Lian put his hand on the report on his face, picked it up and opened it to read it carefully. After reading it, he finally understood what Wang Ziteng's letter meant.

"Your Majesty, in my opinion, there are only two options for this matter." Jia Lian made a decisive decision to be sincere.

Emperor Chenghui nodded and said, "Speak!" Jia Lian said sincerely, "Taxes from maritime trade cannot be touched. Wang Ziteng can only resort to crooked means, otherwise where would he get the money to build a navy? That thing is too expensive. Secondly, Wang Ziteng intends to defile himself, which can be seen from the suppression of the rebellion in the Western Regions."

"Tell me, what should we do with this? It was sent by Prime Minister Liang." Emperor Chenghui explained the situation calmly. After hearing this, Jia Lian fell into deep thought.

If you don't make it a law, how can they do this? Aren't you free? Your Majesty, please take care of this matter. I really can't bear it any longer.

Jia Lian could think of what Liang Daoyuan said.

After a long silence, Jia Lian did not comment on Wang Ziteng's case, but changed the subject: "The performance evaluation system can improve the efficiency of officials, but at the same time, officials make all kinds of levies for the sake of political achievements. The people at the bottom are suffering. They can't survive and can only sell their land first, then buy their children, and finally sell themselves. In three years, at most, the severe situation of land annexation will surely accelerate. Therefore, it is very important to revise and improve your majesty's performance evaluation system. I have a memorial here, which will have a certain easing effect in the future."

Jia Lian took out a memorial from his sleeve and presented it with both hands.

Emperor Chenghui took it and read it carefully. After a while, he looked at Jia Lian in surprise. How should I put it? This guy really has a comprehensive perspective on things.

After thinking for a while, Emperor Chenghui looked at Jia Lian and said, "I remember that you mentioned that you wanted to free up industry and commerce."

Jia Lian nodded; "It's the same old tune indeed!"

Emperor Chenghui did not express his opinion. He put down the memorial and said, "Let me think about it. You go back first. It's getting late."

(End of this chapter)