Idle courtiers

Chapter 461 Ruixue's Harvest Year Talks to Zaifu ([-])
"Isn't this a coincidence?" Zhou Nan smiled and said, "I think it's quite difficult for Uncle Yan to enter the cabinet. I guess Lao Yan doesn't have such thoughts." Uncle Da Zong is another name for the Minister of Rites.

The Ming Dynasty had different names for the six ministers. The Minister of the Ministry of Officials ranked first among the six ministers, and was called Tianguan or Zhongzai; the Minister of the Ministry of War was called Da Sima; Da Sikou; Minister of the Ministry of Industry, Da Sikong.

Before the Ming Dynasty, all dynasties used the prince with the highest royal prestige to manage the clan, set up the Zongzheng Mansion, and the chief official was Da Zongzheng.In order to limit the power of the clan, Zhu Yuanzhang handed over the power to manage the royal family to the Department of Rites and Cleaning Officials of the Ministry of Rites.Therefore, Shangshu of the Ministry of Rites is called Da Zongbo.

Shi Wenjiang was curious and asked, "Who would not want to join the cabinet? Why don't you fight for that condition?"

Zhou Nan just stroked the short beard that grew out of his jaw without saying a word.

The ancients grew beards at thirty and thought they were majestic, and he has also reached his age.With such a bald chin and upper lip, wouldn't it be laughed at as an eunuch in the palace.

"Hey, I understand. Yan Shangshu has no political achievements, and if he joins the cabinet, it will be dissatisfied." Shi Wenjiang patted his forehead.

Zhou Nan laughed: "Wenjiang, you finally figured this out."

It turns out that the Ministry of Rites is Xu Jie's basic board, which is full of his disciples, old officials and confidantes, and no one else is allowed to get involved.After Yan Na went there to be a minister, he was suppressed by the Xu party to the death, and he was basically unable to do anything, and his life was aggrieved.

It wasn't until Xu Jie was implicated in the Kong Ming case and was at home waiting for the crime, that he sorted out the affairs of the ministry.

This is a cowardly person who has not done anything. It is really not convincing to join the cabinet as a prime minister.

Although Shi Wenwenjiang failed to study well, he was still the son of an official family and was very enthusiastic about politics.Now that the chatterbox has been opened, he can't stop: "Then, Zimu, what do you think of Huang Guangsheng?" Zhou Nan is a close minister of the emperor, so he must have first-hand information about how important the selection of cabinet ministers is.

Zhou Nan shook his head: "The chief minister has enough qualifications, prestige and ability, but the Kong Ming case is a bit too extreme. If he enters the cabinet, he may cause controversy. Coupled with Chen Hong's opposition, the emperor probably doesn't want to make trouble."

Shi Wenjiang became excited: "Looking at it this way, Mr. Tang Yingde should be able to join the cabinet. I heard that Zimu was supported by him at the beginning, and he also has the friendship of guest and host. That's great."

Zhou Nan shook her head: "I'm afraid it won't work."

Shi Wenjiang was surprised: "Why can't it work?"

Zhou Nan: "There are two reasons, one is age, and the other is health. Mr. Tang is [-] years old this year, and his body is weak. When he wrote to me last time, he already had the idea of ​​retiring to the countryside."

Having said that, he couldn't help sighing.

Old Tang suffers from severe anemia, and his eyes turn black at every turn.After his scurvy was recuperated by diet, although it was much better.But because his body was severely damaged before, he was no longer able to perform high-intensity mental work.

Moreover, Tang Shunzhi's character is relatively straightforward.The Prime Minister of the Cabinet pays attention to the yin and yang of the assistant, try his best to reconcile when things happen, and when necessary, he has to take the blame and be a punching bag for all officials. This position is really not suitable for him.

Shi Wenjiang repeatedly said "It's a pity" and said: "It seems that the other two candidates for the cabinet must be Guo Pu and Chen Yiqin."

Guo Pu is now the Secretary of the Ministry of Officials, and Chen Yiqin is a bachelor's servant who is in charge of the Imperial Academy.Later, he entered the Taichang Temple and entered the cabinet. After Gao Gong entered the cabinet, he became the Imperial Academy's sacrificial wine.

Zhou Nan: "This kind of thing doesn't end until the end. No one knows what the result will be. Maybe a few Cheng Yaojin will be killed halfway! Anyway, it has nothing to do with us, and I don't bother to inquire about it."

"That's right." Shi Wenjiang: "This is Yan Shangshu looking for you, so what's the matter if you don't know?"

Zhou Nan: "Who knows."

While talking, Xiao Er led a middle-aged scholar in.

The scholar stepped forward and cupped his hands: "I have seen Zhou Sheren, I have seen Lord Shi." He introduced himself that he was Yan Na's staff, surnamed Wang, and he could represent Da Zong Bo with full authority.

This was the first time Shi Wenjiang was called an adult, and he was overjoyed, so he ordered Xiao Er to serve dishes.

Master Wang is a person with a sophisticated personality, he is very eloquent, and he understands everything in poetry and poetry, so he can get along with the two of them.

After drinking for three rounds, Zhou Nan asked: "Mr. Wang, I don't know what Yan Shangshu ordered you to come over, let's just say yes. If I can do it, I will never shirk it."

Zhou Nan was quite proud of being asked to come to the door by a minister.

Master Wang said: "The thing is like this. Uncle Da Zong has a student who works as a magistrate in Qingzhou Prefecture, Shandong Province. Qingzhou wheat is very good. It has always been used as grain, and even offered to the emperor as a tribute. There is little rain this spring, and the local area has suffered a lot. The disaster caused severe harvest failure, and the prefect of Qingzhou sent a memorial to ask the imperial court to show mercy."

Zhou Nan, as a member of Zhongshu Keshe, usually attends in front of Jiajing's car or walks around the Xiyuan cabinet of the cabinet. He happened to read this booklet.He has a good memory and said: "I know this, didn't the imperial court approve the redemption, deducting Qingzhou's [-]% tax this year and next two years, this can be regarded as a great grace of the emperor. Is it possible that I want to reduce or exempt, this is not possible! "

Yes, if you look at it from the standpoint of an ordinary person, to help the victims of the disaster, it is natural to exempt all taxes, and then allocate some money and food to send warmth directly to the hands of the people.

However, governing a country cannot be done in this way.

Disasters occurred frequently in ancient China, and major disasters and minor disasters did not fall every year.If all relief is needed, the national finances will not be able to afford it.Moreover, some local officials will falsely report natural disasters, or report small disasters and big ones, in order to get some funds from the central government to build localities.

The competition between central and local interests is normal, and it is not as simple as it seems on the surface.

The amount of [-]% tax reduction and exemption is a ratio calculated by the Ministry of Household Affairs and the cabinet, which is just right to resettle the disaster victims and stabilize the hearts of the people.If it is further reduced, it will be a bad start, and the court will not allow it.

Zhou Nan: "Besides, I'm just a small Zhongshu Sheren, and I'm not qualified to intervene in such military affairs."

Master Wang said: "Zhou Sheren has misunderstood. I came here today and was entrusted by Dong Weng. It is another matter."

Zhou Nan: "Please tell me, Mr. Wang."

Master Wang: "The magistrate of Qingzhou, Shandong issued another memorial, please change next year's food tax to gold and silver deduction. This paper was handed over to the cabinet, but was rejected by the chief minister, and even Yuan Cifu also criticized this method as unfeasible. .I also ask Zhou Sheren to speak on behalf of the two elders, and the millions of people in Qingzhou are grateful for your kindness."

When he said this, Zhou Nan immediately understood what kind of medicine was sold in the gourd of the prefect of Qingzhou.

He flatly refused in his heart.

He laughed again and again: "Thank you, Uncle Da Zong, for showing your love. Zhou Nan really doesn't have this ability. Please ask someone else to be wise. Forgive me!"

(End of this chapter)