My father is Jiajing

This sudden and arbitrary decision caught all the officials in the palace off guard.

The agreed court meeting turned into a notice.

This made the officials of Xu Jie's faction look at each other in bewilderment, but no one dared to speak out against it.

And there was another group of people who seemed to be watching the fun.

These officials who were watching the fun were all from the northern or inland provinces, and their interests did not extend to the sea at all.

In the past, these people opposed opening the sea, but they were just following the crowd.

Now it seems that the protagonist presiding over the opening of the sea this time is Prince Yu, rather than their usual political rival.

Well, in this case, these people will certainly not oppose just for the sake of opposing, nor will they look for trouble.

After all, the construction in the north and the "unified market" between them and the Anda tribe in the north have made them a lot of money these days.

If they were still as hot-headed as before and followed the crowd in opposing the opening of the sea.

By that time, if those who oppose opening the sea gain the upper hand and start to interfere in the affairs of the north, wouldn’t they be caught in the embarrassing situation of being isolated and helpless?

Therefore, the northern inland officials were just planning to watch the fun of Prince Yu's opening of the sea.

By the way, wait and see which side offers a higher political price in the end?

After retiring from court, Xu Jie sat alone in Wenyuan Pavilion for a long time.

After Li Chunfang came back, he saw Xu Jie sitting alone. He did not say hello, but went back to his seat.

Obviously, at this time Li Chunfang began to ignore Xu Jie and did not even give him basic respect.

It can be seen that Xu Jie's performance in the Wenhua Hall today was really not as good as before. He lost his previous sense of propriety and scheming.

Although in the end it seemed that Prince Yu was forced to use an arbitrary approach to set the tone for the proposal to open the sea, this also reflected Prince Yu's dissatisfaction with Xu Jie.

Since Prince Yu was dissatisfied with Xu Jie, how could Li Chunfang, as Prince Yu's disciple, give Xu Jie face?
Politics is like this sometimes.

Although most of the time everyone has to maintain a decent appearance, but when it comes to real fighting, what does face mean? Not fighting in front of the emperor is considered very cultured.

Therefore, now that Li Chunfang has returned to Wenyuan Pavilion, it is already a matter of respect for him to pretend that he did not see Xu Jie.

If Xu Jie still wants to take advantage of Li Chunfang's proactive greeting, he will only end up asking for trouble.

At the same time, just when Xu Jie was sulking and Li Chunfang ignored him.

Zhu Zaigui also summoned Hu Zongxian, Zhao Zhenji, Zhao Wenhua, Zhang Juzheng and others.

Inside the Wenhua Hall, a naive gilded beast was spewing out wisps of green smoke.

Zhu Zaigui sat upright on a rosewood chair in a side hall of the Wenhua Palace. He was wearing a red robe woven with gold. His fingers gently stroked the memorials on the table and his eyes swept over the four trusted ministers in the palace.

The April sunshine shines through the gaps in the carved window lattices, casting mottled shadows on the floor tiles.

"Gentlemen," Zhu Zaigui said in a voice as gentle as jade, "During the southern tour with Your Majesty, you have taken great care of state affairs. I invited you here today to hear about the progress of various new policies."

The Minister of War Hu Zongxian was the first to step forward.

Although this famous general who fought against the Japanese in the southeast was over fifty years old, his figure was still as straight as a pine tree: "Your Majesty, I have reached a preliminary plan with the Ministry of Revenue and the Five Military Commands.

The two town guards of Jizhou and Xuanfu are trying out the new system reform.

Hu Zongxian also presented a detailed report. Zhu Zaigui waved his hand slightly, and Meng Chong on the side went over to take the report and presented it respectfully to Zhu Zaigui.

Zhu Zaigui was browsing Hu Zongxian's memorial while listening to his oral report.

Hu Zongxian said: "According to the new system, the number of newly recruited soldiers will be 70% of the original number, and they will be trained for 20 days a month to familiarize themselves with various military formations, firearms and other routine training."

Zhu Zaigui carefully read the report and suddenly pointed to a page and asked, "Is this additional military pay directly allocated from the Taicang warehouse? Or is it according to the usual practice of the Ministry of War?"

Zhu Zaigui's question was very direct, causing a hint of surprise to flash in the eyes of other people in the hall.

Although they knew that Prince Yu was intelligent, deep down in their hearts, they still believed that the usually gentle Prince Yu would not have such keen insight into the flow of military pay.

"Your Majesty is wise."

Hu Zongxian bowed again and said, "I have discussed with the Ministry of Revenue and have decided to temporarily withdraw the funds from the annual budget of the Nine Frontier Regions and then repay them after the autumn tax is collected in the treasury."

Zhu Zaigui said: "No, since we are changing to a new system, we can no longer pay the soldiers in the same way as before."

"I have checked the changes in the salary payment of officials and various workshops in the capital over the years, and I think the most convenient way is to use the bank to pay. Not only can it be directly deposited into the soldiers' accounts, but it can also take this opportunity to collect all the information of all the newly recruited soldiers, thus eliminating some unscrupulous behaviors of deceiving superiors and concealing the truth from subordinates."

Zhu Zaigui's words shocked Hu Zongxian and others, and then Hu Zongxian also expressed his concerns.

"Your Majesty, this is a very good idea, but I am afraid that the new soldiers will not be able to adapt to it. They may even think that it is best to start with a heavy amount of silver."

Zhu Zaigui chuckled and said, "If you are not used to it, just adapt slowly. If the court has to accommodate this and that all the time, will it still be able to do anything? Besides, with the current banking capabilities, it is fully capable of completing the issue of the salary distribution for these new soldiers."

Having said this, Zhu Zaigui suddenly pointed his finger and directly reported a name.

"But what obstacles are there for the two generals of Jizhen and Xuanfu that you chose?"

Hu Zongxian looked embarrassed and bowed to Zhu Zaigui again: "Your Majesty is wise!"

Then Hu Zongxian said: "Jizhou General Yang Hualong and indeed made many excuses, saying that the new system was not in line with the situation on the border."

Zhu Zaigui laughed, "Really? Did he really say that?"

Hu Zongxian said: "That is true, but I have found out that 30% of his staff are vacant, and he has withheld about 20,000 taels of military pay over the years."

The air in the hall suddenly froze.

The smile in Zhu Zaigui's eyes remained the same, but it was much colder than before.

Although Zhu Zaigui was well aware that it was a common practice for the garrisons to draw empty salaries, the nine frontiers now did not have to fight from time to time to guard against invasions from the steppe Tatars, in addition to normal defense, as they had done many years ago.

It can be said that apart from daily training and border patrols, they now have almost no other fighting.

As a result, Hu Zongxian now said that Yang Hualong could actually withhold 20,000 taels of military pay. This is like a knife pulling the butt - it's an eye-opener!

Zhu Zaigui's eyes darkened, but he did not get angry immediately.

He turned to the Minister of Personnel Zhao Zhenji and asked, "Mr. Zhao, what do you think should be done?"

Zhao Zhenji stroked his beard and pondered, "I think we can issue an imperial edict to warn him and order him to cooperate with the new policy. As for the corruption." He glanced at Zhao Wenhua, "We can let the Ministry of Justice investigate secretly and deal with it after the reform is stable."

"Minister Zhao."

Zhu Zaiqi called out to Zhao Wenhua directly: "What do you think?"

Zhao Wenhua stood up solemnly and bowed: "I think what Minister Zhao said is very true. I will send the head of the Ministry of Justice's Office of Clearing Personnel to secretly check the accounts of the border town. Once the evidence is conclusive, we can deal with it with lightning speed so as not to affect the overall reform."

Zhu Zaigui thought for a moment and nodded slightly.

Some things really need to be done slowly and quickly, and not just aggressively. Otherwise, it will cause greater panic and changes, and then not only will the military system not be changed, but it will even shake the foundation of the court.

This is obviously not the result Zhu Zaigui wanted to see.

Zhu Zaiqi hummed, looked at Zhao Wenhua and said, "Let's do as proposed."

Zhu Zaigui made a decision, and he said to Hu Zongxian, "Minister Hu, you can select Datong and Yansui to expand the trial. Remember, the fundamental purpose of the reform is to truly benefit the border troops and to ensure long-term stability of the court."

Hu Zongxian bowed solemnly: "I will remember your teachings."

After talking about the Ministry of War, Zhu Zaigui turned the topic to the Ministry of Personnel.

Zhu Zaigui looked at Zhao Zhenji and Zhang Juzheng and asked, "How are the details of the performance evaluation system being discussed?"

Zhao Zhenji took out the exquisitely bound memorial from his sleeve and said, "After repeated deliberations with Minister Zhang, we have drafted the 32 articles of the 'Examination of Success'."

Then he paused and said, "The method of 'Monthly Calculation of Years' supplemented by Minister Zhang is particularly accurate."

Zhu Zaigui unfolded the memorial and saw neat handwriting, which divided the assessment of officials into three categories: "cleanliness, prudence, and diligence", with specific items such as "payment of debts and grain" and "gains and losses in criminal cases".

At the end, it is specially noted that it is recommended to try it out first in the Tongzhengsi and Guanglu Temple.

"Which one did Mr. Zhang add?"

Zhu Zaigui asked with great interest.

Zhang Juzheng bowed and said, "I suggest that each government office submit a list of tasks to be handled every month, and then summarize and evaluate them at the end of the year. This will avoid the problem of rushing to deal with things at the end of the year."

"wonderful!"

Zhu Zaiqi laughed and clapped his hands in praise, "What do you think, Mr. Zhao?"

Zhao Zhenji nodded with a smile: "Minister Zhang is young and promising. This method really makes up for my lack of consideration."

Zhu Zaigui looked at this pair of officials from the Ministry of Personnel with satisfaction.

Zhao Zhenji's prudence and Zhang Juzheng's determination are like the two wheels of a car, complementing each other.

He wrote on the memorial: "Shuntian Prefecture and the special district of the capital will be added as trial offices. The capital is an important place where we can test the effectiveness."

Then Zhu Zaigui gave the memorial back to Zhao Zhenji and asked them to act according to the approval.

At the same time, Zhu Zaigui also looked at Zhao Wenhua.

During this period, Zhu Zaigui also gave Zhao Wenhua a task.

That is to let Zhao Wenhua review all the criminal files in Jiangnan.

Zhu Zaigui asked, "How is the situation in Jiangnan?"

When Zhao Wenhua heard that he was finally being asked about this, his expression immediately became serious.
"Your Majesty, please allow me to report that the criminal cases in Jiangnan are very serious. Last year, less than 30% of the homicide cases in Suzhou Prefecture were closed, and there are more than 100 cases in Songjiang Prefecture, most of which are caused by the powerful bullying the common people."

Zhu Zaigui slammed the teacup in his hand, and the crisp sound of celadon colliding echoed in the hall.

"How ridiculous! Is this what a tax-heavy place in the Ming Dynasty should look like?"

Zhu Zaigui's face was as gloomy as water. He looked at Zhao Wenhua and said, "You should immediately send a letter to Nanjing, asking Hai Rui to mobilize forces and carry out a thorough investigation in Jiangnan with my order. Focus on investigating three types of cases: homicide, occupation of land, and oppression of the people."

Zhao Wenhua immediately responded: "I obey your order!"

This discussion lasted for nearly three hours. When the sun was setting in the west, Zhu Zaigui signaled the eunuch to add more tea, and the ministers knew that the discussion was about to end.

When he was about to leave, Zhu Zaigui said, "Mr. Zhang, please stay. I have something to ask you."

After everyone left, Zhu Zaigui signaled to close the palace door.

Zhu Zaigui calmly poured a cup of Lushan Yunwu for Zhang Juzheng himself. Zhang Juzheng was flattered and bowed immediately.

Zhu Zaigui suddenly asked, "What do you think is the root cause of the ills in Jiangnan?"

After hearing these words, Zhang Juzheng felt a chill in his heart.

He felt that Prince Yu's question, leaving him alone at this time, would definitely not be as simple as that.

There must be problems that Zhang Juzheng could not or was unwilling to face directly.

Zhang Juzheng respectfully took the teacup with both hands and answered carefully: "I think that, first, the local tyrants formed cliques, and second, the judicial system was transferred too quickly, and officials had no time to deal with it in depth."

"well said."

Zhu Zaigui chuckled: "Sir, you really deserve the title of a child prodigy, and you deserve Elder Xu's support and guidance over the years."

Zhang Juzheng bowed in fear and said, "Your Majesty and the prince are the only ones who can help me, and Your Majesty and the prince are the only ones who can teach me!"

Seeing this, Zhu Zaiqi waved his hand and said with a smile: "Don't be nervous, I'm just asking casually."

"Before leaving Beijing, I told you that His Majesty intends to elect new cabinet members after returning to Beijing. But there is still a procedural issue that has not been resolved, so I haven't mentioned this matter these days."

"I asked you to stay this time because I wanted to ask you, what do you think if the Cabinet is separated from the original sequence of the Imperial Academy?"

When Zhang Juzheng heard Zhu Zaigui's words, he also understood what Zhu Zaigui's deep meaning was.

Before the emperor's southern tour, Zhu Zaigui had told them in the Wenhua Hall that he wanted to add some officials who were not from the Hanlin Academy to the cabinet.

Now is obviously the time to fulfill the promise to Zhu Zaigui.

Otherwise, why would Zhu Zaigui ask the question of listing the cabinet separately from the Hanlin Academy?
Although the Cabinet had already surpassed the Hanlin Academy during the Yongle period, in the official system, the titles of several Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet were still subordinate positions of the Hanlin Academy system.

So under such circumstances, there came into being the unspoken rule that "only Hanlin scholars can enter the cabinet" later and now.

Now Zhu Zaigui wants to break this unspoken rule and give more capable people opportunities to advance.

So, from the perspective of legal affiliation, it would be logical to list the official titles of several grand secretaries of the cabinet separately from the Hanlin Academy.

Otherwise, hastily appointing some officials who are not from the Hanlin Academy as Grand Secretaries and allowing them to enter the cabinet would indeed cause some unnecessary problems.

But if the procedural issue of the subordination between the title of Grand Secretary and the Hanlin Academy was resolved before that.

This is much easier to handle.

Seeing that Zhang Juzheng hesitated for a long time without saying anything, Zhu Zaigui also said to himself: "If this is difficult to do, I will start a new business."

Zhu Zaigui's words also gave Zhang Juzheng a shock!
If Zhu Zaigui really wanted to start a new government and create a power center similar to the cabinet, and undermine the current cabinet, then this would cause a greater shock to the government and the public!

Therefore, Zhang Juzheng immediately said: "Your Highness, there is no need to go to so much trouble. It is an indisputable fact that the Cabinet is independent of the Hanlin Academy. Now that Your Highness wants to separate several cabinet ministers from the Hanlin Academy system, it is naturally in line with the procedures and legal principles!"

Zhu Zaigui smiled and said, "Very good, then you will take the lead in this matter. After all, the Ministry of Personnel is also in charge of these matters."

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Ask for monthly ticket~~(End of this chapter)