Gou was a member of the imperial family in the late Ming Dynasty

Chapter 725: The Minister

Xu Xiancheng agreed immediately and brought his wife and children to the palace to meet him after they arrived in Beijing. At the same time, Xu Xiancheng couldn't help asking about his sister Xu Jingqiu and his two nephews. Before he entered the palace, he thought Zhu Shencui had brought them to the capital, but he didn't see them.

"Your sister and two children are currently living in Yangtou Mountain." Zhu Shenzhui said calmly, "Since I came to the capital, although the government has been stable on the surface and the local areas have gradually calmed down, if you are not in the situation, you don't know the undercurrents. Not to mention the court, there are many people who criticize me even among the people."

"It's also for their own good to let them postpone their entry into the capital. As you know, there are soldiers guarding Sheep Head Mountain, and the surrounding area is even more stable. They will definitely be fine there. Once they enter the capital, it's hard to say. Even if I am the regent, I can't take care of everything. If something goes wrong, it will be too late to regret it."

At this point, Zhu Shenzhui took a deep look at Xu Xiancheng and said with a smile, "Do you have any complaints about letting you return to the capital this time? The capital is now a den of dragons and tigers, unlike the countryside. You have a different status, and you hold a high position. I'm afraid that after you return to the capital, all parties will pay attention to you, and there may even be some risks."

Xu Xiancheng showed no fear at all. Instead, he smiled and nodded: "I have thought about this situation before entering the capital. As the saying goes, a real man has nothing to fear. I am doing state affairs in an upright manner. Why should I be afraid of villains? Besides, don't you still have the regent? If you are not afraid, what should I be afraid of?"

Xu Xiancheng deliberately used the word "minister" in his words and expressed his attitude in front of Zhu Shenzhui, which made Zhu Shenzhui very happy. He was not wrong about Xu Xiancheng. The Xu Xiancheng now is still the Xu Xiancheng in his memory. Moreover, over the years, Xu Xiancheng has become much more mature and more politically sophisticated than before.

"It's good that you think so, but it's easier to avoid an open attack than to guard against an arrow from the dark. You need to be careful." Zhu Shenzhu reminded Xu Xiancheng, and then asked about the arrangements for his mansion. Xu Xiancheng already had a home in the capital. Zhang Xijun helped him buy a house in the capital. The house was still under his name until Xu Xiancheng went to Shandong.

Although Xu Xiancheng has not been in the capital in recent years, this house has always been taken care of by someone. However, Xu Xiancheng is no longer the minor official he used to be, and that house is not suitable for Xu Xiancheng to live in now. Zhu Shenzui arranged a house for him before Xu Xiancheng came back. This house was confiscated from several officials who jumped out when he entered the capital. The location of the house is good and the area is much larger than the original courtyard, which is just right for Xu Xiancheng's family to live in now.

Xu Xiancheng did not refuse this arrangement and accepted it directly. Then Zhu Shenzhui did not hide it from Xu Xiancheng and told him in detail about the current situation in the capital, including some changes in the court.

As Zhu Shenzhui's position as regent became more secure, the originally quiet court gradually changed. The change was that the civil service group rose again, especially some people in the Donglin Party who were impatient. They thought that the previous chaos was over, and they used their previous ideas and thoughts to exert influence to change the government. They continued to treat Zhu Shenzhui as the former Ming emperor and made changes to him, thereby controlling the direction of the government.

This was the case with his previous assistant in charge of military affairs in the Beijing camp, and the same was true when he took over the position of Ningqian Dao in Liaodong. The purpose was to fight for power, especially the control of military power, so as to undermine the imperial power.

Zhu Shencui had been prepared for this, and he used both defense and attack to make these people suffer a loss. However, Zhu Shencui also knew that this was not a complete solution to the problem, and there was still a lot to do to change the situation.

Zhu Shenzui's response was to win over the Shanxi merchants, including their backers and interest groups, and use them for his own purposes. He firmly controlled the military power through Wang Jinwu's new army and used the northern scholars, including the merchants, to fight against the gentry groups in the south of the Yangtze River and the south. In addition, there was the establishment of the Imperial Household Department, and the implementation of a series of secret memorial systems.

In addition, there is also the attempt to win over the noble groups and military generals. These actions are also to achieve the goal of confronting the civil service group.

But the Ming Dynasty was in a state of deterioration and faced too many problems. With these annoying people holding it back, many important tasks became particularly difficult. The key issue was that the government policies in the south were not being implemented, forcing Zhu Shenzui to do this.

"Are you planning to use the north to suppress the south and force the South to surrender?" Xu Xiancheng couldn't help asking.

"There is such a plan, but the word "force" is a bit too much. It's just a warning to the south. You have been to Jiangnan, so you should know what it is like there. How much is the annual tax revenue of the Ming Dynasty? The north, especially the northwest and the Central Plains, have suffered from banditry in recent years, and the people's livelihood is difficult to guarantee. But in Jiangnan, there are people who revel every night, and live a life of drunkenness and debauchery. The children of aristocratic families and wealthy merchants spend a lot of money on a feast, but they are unwilling to pay more taxes to the court. When it comes to taxes in Jiangnan, some people can't wait to say that taxation increases the burden on the people and is not a benevolent policy. It's nothing more than not willing to benefit the world with a penny, and only care about their own interests."

Xu Xiancheng nodded silently. He had witnessed such a situation with his own eyes when he was in Jiangnan, and what Zhu Shenzhu said was indeed true.

When he was in Nanjing, Xu Xiancheng witnessed with his own eyes that many members of the Fushe Society kept saying that people's lives were hard and that the people of the world had a hard time, but they never put anything into practice. Instead, they lingered among the flowers, listened to the music on the Qinhuai River every night, and spent huge amounts of money without caring at all. They said one thing and did another. This was how these people were.

As for the gentry in Jiangnan, it is not that they cannot afford to pay taxes, but that they do not want to pay taxes. In their opinion, it is best not to pay a penny of taxes levied by the court. Even if they are forced to pay, they will find ways to transfer these taxes to the common people.

If this goes on for a long time, the people will become more and more miserable, but these people will not care at all. If this goes on for a long time, how can the Ming Dynasty be good?
"We still need to be cautious about this matter. Border trade is not a big problem, but once sea trade is opened in Shandong, it will not be a trivial matter. Those people in the south are not easy to deal with, and many of them have ulterior motives..."

"There are still pirates, right?" Zhu Shenzhui directly said a word that Xu Xiancheng did not say, and smiled: "Although Zheng Zhilong has been recruited and is also an official appointed by the court, his fleet is still huge, and the relationship is even more complicated." "It is said that Zheng Zhilong controls more than half of the Japanese routes. For example, Zheng Zhilong will definitely not sit idly by if Shandong opens the sea. If he can't come openly, it is very likely that he will cause trouble for you secretly. But before, I asked you to reorganize the navy of Dongjiang Town and the navy of Shandong, isn't it because of this?"

Xu Xiancheng smiled bitterly and said, "The navy of Dongjiang Town and Shandong now has less than a hundred warships in total. Although it can play a role once the sea trade is opened, it is still no match for Zheng Zhilong and others. Moreover, Zheng Zhilong's subordinates are all old thieves who have traveled all over the world and are used to eating at sea. Compared with them, I am afraid they are no match."

"This is indeed a problem." Zhu Shenzhu nodded, thought for a moment and said, "I had someone send a letter to Zheng Zhilong before, inviting him to come to Beijing, but he never responded. I don't know what he thinks."

"Are you planning to win over Zheng Zhilong? That's a good idea. But it's normal for Zheng Zhilong not to reply if you just send him a letter. As far as I know, Zheng Zhilong is extremely cautious. I'm afraid he's worried that he won't come back after coming to the capital. It would be better to start with the people around him."

"Oh, that's fine too. Who do you think is a good candidate to start with?" Zhu Shenzhui asked hurriedly.

Xu Xiancheng thought for a moment and said, "Zheng Zhilong has four brothers. His younger brother Zheng Zhihu was originally the best candidate, but unfortunately he died at sea in a battle with Liu Xiang a few years ago. It's really a pity. Zheng Zhilong's second brother Zheng Hongkui is keen on fame and is obsessed with power. Zheng Hongkui helped Zheng Zhilong a lot when he was recruited. Now Zheng Hongkui only has a mere position of a hundred households. I heard that he has been lamenting his bad luck. It would be more appropriate to start with him."

"In addition, I suggest that you do not need to use a letter to be the regent. I will arrange for someone to send a letter. I have a good friend in Nanjing who is an old friend of Zheng Hongkui. Let him take the letter and invite Zheng Hongkui to come north. If he can come, then half of the matter will be done. Then I will give him an official position, and Zheng Hongkui will definitely join the regent, and the matter will be done."

"Yes!" Zhu Shenzhui was slightly delighted and immediately handed the matter over to Xu Xiancheng.

Xu Xiancheng was not a frivolous person. Since he said he had a way, then he had a great chance of success. Moreover, starting with Zheng Hongkui was indeed a good idea. As long as Zheng Hongkui was held back, even if Zheng Zhilong did not come over completely, he would not open the sea to the north. Then, the matter was basically settled.

"This matter should be dealt with sooner rather than later. You are well aware of the preparations in Shandong. The sooner the sea is opened, the sooner the court's economic problems can be solved."

Xu Xiancheng agreed immediately and said that he would write a letter to his friend in Jiangnan after he returned, informing him of the situation and asking him to contact Zheng Hongkui immediately. If everything went well, he would have news within a month.

"By the way, do you have any ideas about returning to Beijing this time? Is there any place you want to go?" Zhu Shenzhui had already thought about Xu Xiancheng's arrangements, but today he still planned to listen to his other party's plans.

Xu Xiancheng smiled bitterly and said, "How can I answer you when you ask me that?"

"Hahaha! What's wrong with that? You are the governor of Shandong. With your previous contributions, it will be no problem for you to be appointed as a minister after returning to Beijing. It is even natural for you to join the cabinet. If you have any plans, just speak up. You don't have to do that with me."

Xu Xiancheng shook his head and said, "Forget about the cabinet. It's probably not a good thing for me to join the cabinet with my status. Besides, Wen Tiren is in the cabinet now. Although Wen Tiren is a lone minister, he attaches great importance to his official position. If I join the cabinet, Wen Tiren will not target me directly with his intelligence, but he will secretly be on guard, fearing that I will take his position as the cabinet's prime minister when I have the chance. In this case, why join the cabinet? Besides, the cabinet is now the target of public criticism, and it would be more beneficial to have Wen Tiren to block it."

Zhu Shenzhui smiled and nodded. Xu Xiancheng understood what he said and it made sense. He originally planned to let him join the cabinet, but Zhu Shenzhui also had the same concerns. Wen Tiren played a big role now. His position as the chief minister of the cabinet could help Zhu Shenzhui attract a lot of firepower. Once Xu Xiancheng also joined the cabinet, Wen Tiren's narrow-mindedness would inevitably lead him to think too much, which would be a bit inappropriate.

"Then the Ministry of Works? The Ministry of Revenue? The Ministry of Personnel? Even the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Justice? Which government office do you want to go to?" Zhu Shenzhui asked again.

"Neither is good." Xu Xiancheng shook his head and said, "I originally came from the Ministry of Works. There is no point in going back to the Ministry of Works. The Ministry of Revenue is just a decoration right now. The taxation problem has not been solved. The Ministry of Revenue is difficult to do things. Going there will just be a hassle. As for the Ministry of Personnel, Mr. Zhang is now the Minister of Personnel. Having him in the Ministry of Personnel is enough. Yang Sichang of the Ministry of War is my own soldier. Yang Sichang is a capable person. It is not appropriate for me to go to the Ministry of War to place Yang Sichang. As for the Ministry of Justice, it goes without saying. It is useless for me to go there."

"In that case, you should go to the Censorate first and take up the post of Right Censor-in-Chief. How about that? You already hold a position in the Censorate, and no one can find fault with your promotion from Governor to Right Censor-in-Chief. In addition, I will give you the post of Minister of the Interior. How about that?"

"Secretary of the Interior? What is this position?" Xu Xiancheng asked in surprise. He had never heard of this position before. Which government office was it in? What was its responsibility?
(End of this chapter)