Chongzhen revived the Ming Dynasty

After appointing Li Yangzheng as the Yangtze River patrol envoy, Zhu Youjian decided to give him a troop of troops to ensure that he received taxes on the Yangtze River.

Thinking of Cao Jiang, the admiral of Nanjing, he said:

"The post of Admiral Cao Jiang has both civil and military personnel."

"From now on, Wen Cao's troops on the Yangtze River will be under the jurisdiction of the Yangtze River Patrol Mansion."

"The defense of the Yangtze River west of South Zhili is under the responsibility of the Yangtze River Patrol Office."

Civilian Admiral Cao Jiang was previously held by Liu Zhixuan. Liu Zhixuan is one of the core members of the eunuch party. He has been sentenced to death by Zhu You for shaking the middle palace. Naturally, he could not hold the post of admiral Cao Jiang.

However, Zhu Youjian has not filled this position in order to allow Wu Caojiang to control Jiang Fang.

Now that the Yangtze River Patrol Office was established, Zhu Youjian transferred Wen Caojiang's troops and horses to the Patrol Office.

The defense of a section of the Yangtze River in southern Zhili was completely handed over to Wucao Jiang.

This decision caused a huge backlash in the court. Because everyone knows that Zhili in the south of the Yangtze River is the most important. Admiral Cao Jiang only had strong influence in Nanjing.

Now that the emperor has transferred Wen Cao Jiang's troops to the Yangtze River Patrol Palace, it is equivalent to effectively removing Wen Cao Jiang from his post. Naturally, the civil servants in the court are very dissatisfied.

So soon some civil officials pointed out that Wu Cao Jiang Huaining Hou Sun Chengyin had deducted salt and vegetable silver from the Zhenjiang squadron, and all the armies made a fuss. Officials in the south of the Yangtze River had heard a lot about this and hoped that the emperor would be prudent and appoint civilian officials to deal with Jiang.

Zhu Youjian frowned slightly when he heard that Marquis Huaining was so unbearable. He really didn't expect that when he wanted to re-employ Wu Caojiang, Xungui would be so unsatisfied.

Although he would not accuse Marquis Huaining because of these rumors, Zhu Youjian was quite dissatisfied with this man and asked:
"When did Marquis Huaining become the admiral of Cao Jiang?"

"How many years has it been now?"

Yuan Keli, Minister of the Ministry of War, said:

"Sun Chengyin, Marquis of Huaining, was the admiral of Cao Jiang in November of the second year of Tianqi. It has been nearly six years this year."

Zhu Youjian immediately took advantage of the topic and said:
"Attachés are elected every five years. Marquis Huaining has served as Admiral Cao Jiang for more than five years. Now it's time to change him."

"Let him return to Beijing to report on his duties. Who among the nobles is willing to serve as admiral Cao Jiang?"

The nobles who participated in the Chang Dynasty were immediately eager to try.

After the Chang Dynasty has been held for such a long time, the number of nobles who were initially very active in participating in the Chang Dynasty has become very small now. Those who still insist on participating in the Chang Dynasty all have certain political ambitions.

Because the Chengyibo family was at odds with the Donglin Party, Liu Kongzhao has been insisting on attending the court meeting since the Donglin Party was lifted from the party ban and began to revive. When he heard the emperor's inquiry, he immediately recommended himself:
"I am willing to go to Nanjing to rectify the river defense for Your Majesty."

There are several other nobles who also want to hold this position.

Zhu Youjian was very satisfied with Liu Kongzhao's statement on rectifying Jiang's defense. Coupled with Wen Tiren speaking for him, he immediately appointed:
"Your sincerity, Liu Kongzhao, will take over as Admiral Cao Jiang, with a tentative term of five years."

"Write a memorial on how to rectify Jiang's defense and what results it will achieve!"

Let him write down measures to rectify Jiang's defense according to the governor's policy outline. When reviewing in the future, we will follow what he wrote in his memorial.

Liu Kongzhao happily accepted the order and was quite proud of his good relationship with Wen Tiren.

He had just heard that Wen Tiren had a falling out with the Donglin Party, so he moved around. Now in the court, it plays a role.

However, whether you can secure this position depends on how well the memorial is written. When we get to Nanjing, we should do something to improve the river defense.

The ministers were a little anxious when they heard that the emperor had replaced a nobleman as Wu Cao Jiang, but did not talk about Wen Cao Jiang. Yuan Keli said:
"The post of Admiral Jiang is related to Nanjing's Jiang defense."

"When His Majesty appointed admirals, he also appointed envoys to protect the army."

"I think we should set up a military envoy to assist the admiral Cao Jiang."

This statement moved Zhu Youjian a little bit. He previously set up military envoys to coordinate the relationship between the army and local governments, and to protect and supervise the army.

The position of Admiral Cao Jiang is related to the safety of Nanjing. It is true that it cannot be completely left to the nobles, nor can it be left in charge of one person.

Otherwise, Liu Kongzhao would embezzle military pay like Sun Chengyin did, which would not be in line with his original intention.

So after thinking about it, he said:
"The post of Admiral Cao Jiang will be later changed to Admiral of the Yangtze River Navy, or simply Admiral of the Yangtze River."

"The Yangtze River Patrol Envoy also has the duties of the Military Guard Envoy and is responsible for supervising and protecting the Yangtze River Navy."

"From now on, all the soldiers and horses on the Yangtze River will belong to the Yangtze River Navy."

The soldiers and horses that previously belonged to the Wenchao River and the Wucao River were combined to form the Yangtze River Navy.

In this way, the Yangtze River Admiral and the Yangtze River Patrol Envoy will become the new heads of the Yangtze River Navy.

Yuan Keli could accept this, but other civil servants did not quite understand the arrangement of admirals and military envoys. In addition, the patrol envoys' offices were in Jiujiang and Wuchang, and they might rarely go to Nanjing. There may not be any talk of guardianship of the Yangtze River Navy in Nanjing.

Therefore Qin Shiwen, the minister of Taipu Temple, said:
"The Yangtze River is so long, and the admiral and patrol envoy are not in the same place. How can they jointly shoulder the responsibilities of the Yangtze River Navy?"

"I think we can divide the Yangtze River into sections, and then set up military stations in each section like a post station."

Zhu Youjian praised this very much and said:
"How to divide it into sections, Chengyi Bo and Li Xunjiang will divide it together."

"In principle, the Yangtze River Admiral is responsible for the lower reaches, and the Yangtze River Patrol Envoy is responsible for the middle and upper reaches."

"Under the Yangtze River Patrol Envoy, a special guard captain was stationed in Nanjing to perform the duties of guarding the army."

"The soldiers and horses in the middle and upper reaches should also have generals as subordinates to the Yangtze River Admiral."

The troops and horses on the Yangtze River are still mainly divided into two parts: the Nanzhili Duan Navy in the lower reaches, and the Yangtze Patrol Navy in the middle and upper reaches.

The two parts intersect with each other, and the Yangtze River Admiral and the patrol envoy have the right to intervene.

With this kind of checks and balances, and each with its own emphasis, the civil servants were satisfied, and the sincere uncle Liu Kongzhao also thought it was good.

Because in this way, he can intervene in the troops and horses in the middle and upper reaches of the Yangtze River, and even use these troops to intervene in the Yangtze River Patrol Palace.

At this time Zhu Youjian asked him again:
"The Yangtze River Navy must conduct strict drills and rectify warships and other weapons."

"After the Yangtze River waterway is dredged, water bandits may appear along the way, and the Yangtze River Navy must step up its crackdown."

"At the same time, we must prevent smuggling and conduct random inspections of ships transporting goods along the river at any time."

"Once tax evasion is discovered, the accompanying tax department officials can be fined. The name and ship number of the ship owner will also be recorded and a warning will be given."

"If there are too many warnings, a ban can be issued to prohibit its passage on the Yangtze River."

Regarding the establishment of the Yangtze River Navy, Zhu Youjian mainly wanted to collect taxes. At the same time, the tax money is used to support a navy and prepare for the future——

After all, the disaster in the north is too serious. If he can't stay in the north in the future, he may go to Nanjing. Then the Yangtze River Navy naturally needs to strengthen its construction.

When Liu Kongzhao heard that the Yangtze River Navy had the authority to suppress bandits and seize smuggling, he immediately felt that his previous idea was right. He could intervene in the Yangtze River Patrol Office through the Yangtze River Navy.

The civil servants were not happy. Min Mengde, the left minister of the Ministry of War, said:
"On the Yangtze River there are not only those who transport goods, but also fishermen who fish."

"If the navy is allowed to conduct random inspections, it may harm people's livelihood." Zhu Youjian frowned when he heard this, because he had no hope in the conduct of the Ming Dynasty officers and soldiers. So after thinking about it, he said:
"Then set a standard and do not allow random inspections of boats."

"For example, if there is less than 30 tons or 50 tons, random inspection is not required."

“Vessels below this tonnage will be exempted from tax by the Taxation Department.”

"But passenger ships must be registered, their qualifications reviewed, and a business license issued."

"Vessels that are dangerous or whose owners and crew members have bad records are not allowed to be used for passenger transportation."

This policy has been welcomed by many officials.

Because the emperor's tax exemption is very suitable for them.

As for licensing passenger ships, that is also a good thing——

As the saying goes: "Cars, boats, shops, legs and teeth, even if they are not guilty, they should be killed." Those passenger boats on the river should indeed be regulated.

Under the deliberations of the emperor and his ministers, various policies on Yangtze River shipping were gradually improved.

But at this time, Li Congxin, the minister in charge of the river channel, raised another question:
"The flow of water in the Yangtze River is relatively fast, so the number of trackers required should be much lower than that of the canal."

"But in some shoals, trackers may still be used and need to be dredged."

"Pulling boats from downstream to upstream is more likely to be used frequently in areas with fast currents."

“Where should these trackers, porters, and porters come from?”

Zhu Youjian didn't know much about this specific issue. He didn't even have this concept in his mind. After all, in his understanding, it is easy for ships to pass.

Now being reminded by Li Congxin, I have just realized that the current ships have no power. Once they run aground, trackers will have to pull the ships.

This made him frown, and he somewhat understood the reason why the current water transport ships are not large and there are many small boats of 100 tons or more -

In fact, the bigger the ship, the more troublesome it will be if it runs aground, and it will be inconvenient to sail.

In contrast, it can be said that there is almost always wind on the sea. By changing the angle of the sail, the wind can always be used to sail the boat:
"It seems like the development of north-south shipping will have a huge impact on the canal!" 』

“There are many people who rely on the canal to make a living, so we need to find a way to divert the flow. 』

So he asked:
“How is it done on the canal?”

"How to recruit trackers and porters?"

Qin Shiwen, Qing of Taipu Temple, said:

"Canal Shuiyi recruits long fiber from the coastal states and counties. There are also some temporary recruitment of short fiber, and even recruits people to work as short fiber."

"There are also water stations on the Yangtze River. In some places, you can follow this procedure."

When Zhu Youjian heard that there was a system, he immediately nodded and said:

"Li Yangzheng once served as the governor of water transportation, so he should know this."

"It is up to him to clear up the shipping issues in the Yangtze River."

"In addition, the Governor of Water Transport should send some people to help establish the Yangtze River Patrol Office."

"Allow the Yangtze River to inspect the mansion and recruit people on the other side of the canal."

As he spoke, he said to Yang Jingchen and Guo Yunhou:
"Let Li Yangzheng come to the capital first to confirm the establishment of the Yangtze River Patrol Office, and then recruit people along the canal when heading south."

"The grades of officials under the Yangtze River Patrol Mansion are all based on the previously standardized system."

"The Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Household Affairs calculated how much tax the Yangtze River Taxation Department can collect and how many people it can support."

Zhu Youjian had high hopes for the Yangtze River Patrol Office, hoping to serve as a benchmark for his adjusted new system in the south.

To be honest, most of the various systems he is promoting are concentrated in the north, even in the capital. The south affected Nanjing at most, and the impact on other places was very small.

The establishment of the Yangtze River Patrol Office is a major event affecting Huguang, Jiangxi, Sichuan and other provinces. If he can use the new system to open up the situation, there will be much less resistance when he implements the new system in the south in the future.

It can be said that the current Yangtze River Patrol Palace is the imperial court's tentacle in the south. The success or failure of its establishment is of great importance.

After such discussions for a long time, we finally decided on the official positions of Yangtze River Patrol Envoy and Yangtze River Admiral, and sorted out the entire Yangtze River.

None of the ministers had ever experienced this kind of thing, and finally realized why many officials said they were tired last year——

Just the establishment of a yamen made them feel quite tired. Last year, the emperor adjusted most of the institutions of the Six Ministries and Nine Temples. The officials who served those years ago certainly felt very tired.

At this time, these people had only one idea, and that was to end the court meeting.

However, Zhu Youjian did not announce the end immediately, but said to Yang Jingchen:
“Last year, I said that in the future, when candidates are nominated for governor, candidates must write down policy outlines.”

"The governor is selected based on the policy outline and serves as the basis for future assessments."

"It's already April, and there are only four months left before the August election. It's just long enough to travel back and forth."

"So for the governor who will be replaced this year, Yang Qing can now select the candidates, then send them messages and submit the policy outline."

"This is the first time to implement it, Yang Qing must be careful!"

The policy outline was decided last year. Zhu Youjian even had someone reveal the news to Sun Chuanting before that.

According to previous discussions, the governors of the three sides, the governors of Guangdong and Guangxi, the governors of Yansui, Baoding, Huguang, Yingtian, Yunnan and Fujian will all be replaced this year.

Yang Jingchen needed to ask these people in the name of the Ministry of Personnel if they were willing to stay in their posts. He also conveyed the message of writing a policy outline to local governor candidates.

The officials in the court were excited. Because they have many advantages over local officials who only receive letters a month or two later. A policy outline can be written one or two months in advance.

Many people who wanted to serve in local places and were eligible to be included as candidates for governor began to think of ways to get the Ministry of Civil Affairs to list themselves as candidates.

However, Zhu Youjian did not give them a chance to find ways and said:
"Local envoys, envoys, as well as ministers, ministers, Zhengqing, Shaoqing, censors and other officials in the imperial court can choose the place of their choice and write the outline of the policy."

"As long as you have sufficient qualifications and the policy outline you write can be approved by me, you can be included as a candidate."

"When the officials are elected in August, we will participate in the nomination together."

Take the choice of candidates directly into your own hands.

This was the method he had decided upon when selecting officials in the court.

After all, it is impossible for him to overturn this system when Tingtui is widely recognized by civilian officials and it is difficult for non-Tingtui officials to serve.

In order to ensure that the officials promoted by the imperial court were all in line with his wishes, he decided to control the list from the beginning of the candidates.

In this way, no matter who Ting introduces, he can accept it. The abilities of the officials promoted by the government will be guaranteed. (End of chapter)