The Heavens: From Knowing Whether You Rule the World

Chapter 51 The Chu family of Liangzhe is established!
Of the four major families in Hangzhou, one was eliminated for violating taboos, and the remaining three are trembling and licking their wounds.

For a moment, Hangzhou became quiet.

Until the dust settled, a piece of news spread - the Chu family in Hangzhou was established!

It is said that the Chu family will develop in two places, namely Hangzhou and Yangzhou.

Yangzhou is the ancestral home of the Chu family, and Hangzhou is the place where the Chu family’s children study.

The prefect Chu Zifeng bought 3,000 acres of fertile land in Hangzhou and hired people to cultivate it. He also invited several teachers from the Juyang Academy to teach the outstanding children in the family. The output of these 3,000 acres of fertile land will be provided for the children of the family who are suitable for studying to study and learn literature, without any other expenses.

He even established family rules that if any of his descendants coveted this land, they would be expelled from the family no matter what the circumstances.

After the Chu family settled down in Hangzhou, Chu Hong did not take any further action.

What he had always wanted was all of Hangzhou, but once the family was officially established, there would be no need for so many big moves.

Today, the other three major families in Hangzhou are licking their wounds. After what happened, it is doomed that the three major families will have difficulty in making any progress for quite a long time.

This was the time when the Chu family slowly encroached upon the land power of the other three families.

This period of time could be as short as three to five years or as long as nearly ten years!

When the Chu family developed in Hangzhou, the other three families were doomed to have no chance of recovery.

Because... a few decades later, a new emperor ascended the throne and the throne returned to Taizu's lineage.

And Chu Hong is the nephew of the new emperor.

The Chu family only needs to grow stronger slowly and they will naturally be able to monopolize Hangzhou.

Even the three major families in Hangzhou will take the initiative to move out of Hangzhou.

Not moving?

Once the "Little" in "Little Lord" fades away, Chu Hong won't need to say anything, his subordinates will take the initiative to help the three major families move.

Hangzhou, from the moment Chu Hong took a fancy to it, was doomed to be in chaos!

Chu Hong sat quietly in the government office, carefully reading a document.

This is the list of people to be “eliminated from evil” in Hangzhou this quarter.

Some time ago, the Wei clan was suppressed and their rebellion was put down.

But, it was only the people in the family tree who were involved.

Some people who happened not to be on the family tree, but were inexplicably close to the family, were not liquidated.

Local relationships are complicated and it takes some time to investigate them clearly.

It was impossible for the army to stay in one place for a long time. They returned to Beijing not long after suppressing the rebellion, so this task naturally fell on the local area.

Yan Fu, the governor of Liangzhe, delegated this task to Hangzhou as a favor, and Chu Hong then gave the task to the new judge Zheng Bin.

Zheng Bin was a sensible and intelligent man. Knowing that the prefect had established a family in Hangzhou, he naturally knew how to accomplish the task of "eradicating the remnants of the party" beautifully.

Well, the evil party must be someone who has conflicts of interest with the Wei family, right?

The four major families in Hangzhou are one, so there's nothing wrong with these evil people being members of the four major families, right?

What? You say you are not guilty?
It's not up to you to decide!

Chu Hong took a quick look and became more and more satisfied.

The "evil party" mentioned in this document are all officials from the three major families of Li, Zhao and Ma without exception. These officials are divided into those with minor and serious crimes.

Those who commit minor crimes are mostly petty officials, while those who commit serious crimes are mostly minor officials.

Chu Hong nodded slightly and signed his name.

After pondering for a moment, he issued an instruction: those with serious crimes will be demoted to commoners and will not be allowed to take the imperial examinations for three generations; those with minor crimes will be dismissed from office and given land to farm.

He is not the kind of person who seeks to kill all enemies, but the winners will be the kings and the losers will be the bandits, and he will definitely reap the fruits of victory.

Allowing these people to hold nominal positions and allowing them to resign voluntarily is already quite lenient.

After two or three generations, some grudges and hatreds will naturally disappear.

It's a bit bloody, but as a pioneer, this process is inevitable.

Three years passed in a flash.

On this day, Chu Hong summoned all the officials of Hangzhou, and sat in the main seat calmly.

Some officials who were good at observing people's words and expressions noticed that something was wrong with the atmosphere and lowered their heads to reduce their presence.

When almost everyone had arrived, Chu Hong looked deeply at the co-magistrate Cheng Wei, and scanned the entire room with his full aura.

The aura that had accumulated over the years made all the officials feel unnatural. They always felt that everything was seen through, and their heartbeats involuntarily quickened.

"I have been an official in Hangzhou for nearly three years, and I am very sensitive to news from some officials!"

Chu Hong suddenly said something incomprehensible. Those who didn't understand naturally didn't understand, while those who could understand quietly looked towards the Tongzhi sitting in the first seat on the left.

Many people who knew the situation looked at Cheng Wei with sympathy. This guy was really miserable. He was screwed just for having a little bit of power.

"I heard that some people have started to form cliques and small groups, and even secretly oppose the government's orders?"

Chu Hong glanced at the co-magistrate deeply, and the dissatisfaction on his face was evident.

That’s right, this is targeted!

He is about to be promoted, and he needs to finish the work of the Tongzhi of Hangzhou before leaving.

Hangzhou, there can only be one voice!
Whether now or in the future!

"Don't worry, sir. I will definitely be your right-hand man and make sure that these cliques have nowhere to hide and that they are cut off from the ranks of the Hangzhou public."

Tongzhi Cheng Wei noticed that the gaze was always on him, and he thought something was wrong and hurried to clarify.

It’s hard to be an official, and it’s hard to eat shit!
Didn’t you just invite a few minor officials to dinner and drinks some time ago?

Oh, I’m going to be screwed again!
Chu Hong looked away, ignoring the somewhat flustered Cheng Wei, and asked Cheng Wei, who stood up to clarify, to be in a dilemma whether to stand or sit.

"I am not the kind of person who is unsympathetic and does not tolerate advice. Hangzhou is a prefecture directly under the Central Government, and it is of great significance. Naturally, we must allow for wide-ranging opinions on how to govern it.

Hangzhou has always upheld the principle that more is better, and has long abandoned the idea of ​​a one-man show. However, since you want to make an opinion, then just speak out boldly! "

Chu Hong smiled gently.

Just as Tong Zhicheng was slightly relaxed
"Oh!"

"I am still in this position. Some people should not forget that I still have half a year before I leave Hangzhou. Are they really looking forward to my leaving Hangzhou?"

Chu Hong's gentle expression suddenly turned serious, and the sound of slamming the table made Cheng Wei tremble slightly. There have been many changes in the officialdom in Hangzhou in the past three years, and he didn't want to be stripped of his official position.

Cheng Wei frowned. The prefect's words were basically about to name him. Who didn't know that he most hoped that this person would leave Hangzhou?

After a moment of hesitation, Cheng Wei took his seat.

This is his first stubbornness!

Anyway, I have endured a lot in the past three years.

Be patient and you will get used to it!

"Hmph! Some of our officials have already held high positions and want to move up, but they never care about Hangzhou's fiscal surplus, Hangzhou's officials, and the people, and they never think about these people.

When the officials under him came to him for something, he would look up and ask them what they did. This kind of person didn't even recognize a few of the officials under him, but he was familiar with all the slightly pretty courtesans in Hangzhou brothels, and he could even call out the nicknames of those vulgar prostitutes.

Hangzhou has always been clean and upright in recent years. If such an official is still in office, he will harm the people. How can he stay?"

Chu Hong glanced at everyone and finally stopped at Tongpan Zheng Bin. "This kind of official must not be allowed to stay. Tongpan Zheng is in charge of the trial supervision in Hangzhou. He will definitely make corrupt officials and mediocre people pay the price and get out of Hangzhou!"

"Yes!"

Zheng Bin's eyes lit up.

On the contrary, Tongzhi Cheng Wei's head was lowered more and more. He was basically forcibly sidelined by the prefect in the past two or three years. He resisted once when he was first sidelined.

Well, I was beaten the whole time.

There was no choice but to lie down.

When people are bored, they can only find fun
Ahem, he did know the nicknames of quite a few prostitutes.

Cheng Wei, who has always been weak in character, lowered his head even more and leaned his back slightly on the chair.

This is his second stubbornness!

"Let's disperse!" After Chu Hong said this, many officials breathed a sigh of relief. The top leader caught the second-in-command and scolded him harshly, and the second-in-command was too cowardly to dare to refute. This scene was really too depressing.

"Tongzhi, please stay for a moment!"

Cheng Wei, who was about to run away, began breathing a little heavier. It's so fucking hard to be an official!

"Sir Cheng, I will be transferred to Jiangnan soon. Do you have any ideas?"

After everyone left, Chu Hong changed from his previous serious demeanor to become kind and gentle again.

"My Lord, are you leaving?"

Cheng Wei felt relieved. He didn't expect that this rumor was actually true.
"Well, tell me what you think!"

"Ideas? Sir, I don't have any ideas."

Cheng Wei sat on the chair in panic. He really had no ideas, and he didn't dare to have any.

The top leader was too powerful. In the past two or three years, he had been sidelined and had no power at all. Sometimes, when he went to drink and eat with a few officials who were slightly higher in rank, he would be warned. After a long time, no one dared to hang out with him.

After all, who would dare to follow someone who can't even protect his own men?
Therefore, he has no foundation at all, so there is no way he can fight for the position of prefect!

In order to get the position of Tongzhi of Hangzhou, he even used up the favor of saving the life of the governor's mother.

Last time he was sidelined and went to the governor, but he didn't care. It was obvious that he had let go of the favor. Is he going to fight for the position of prefect with his life this time?
Cheng Wei tactfully poured a cup of tea for Chu Hong and also poured one for himself. This was his third stubbornness.

"Master Cheng, what are you pursuing?"

Chu Hong asked another unrelated question with a smile.

He is leaving, and the Tongzhi must be replaced by someone from his own family.

Before he left, he wanted to take Cheng Wei away.

Not leaving together, but letting Cheng Wei leave Hangzhou.

Now that he has left, Cheng Wei cannot stay either!

If Cheng Wei insists on staying, then he can only stay for three years, six years, nine years... a lifetime!

"What do you mean, sir?"

"In terms of career!"

"Official career? Sir, my only pursuit is to land safely and securely."

Cheng Wei smiled helplessly. He was already in his fifties and had never expected to get the position of Tongzhi.

Before obtaining the position of Tongzhi, his only goal was to obtain a nominal position of the fourth rank.

Now it is a safe landing from the fourth rank!

"Oh, is that so? What do you think of the position of Taizhong Daifu, Master Cheng?"

"Doctor Taizhong? Very good, very good!"

Cheng Wei realized something and felt a little relieved. It was a good thing that he was no longer the second in command under Chu Hong, not to mention that this was a nominal position of the fourth rank.

During these three years, he finally understood what it meant to be sidelined.

A powerful Hangzhou Tongzhi has no power at all and is responsible for everything.

You will be scolded every few days, and your life is not as comfortable as that of a nominal official.

Whoever wants to be this official can take it!

"Haha! Lord Cheng, just wait for the news!"

Chu Hong achieved his goal and promised immediately.

"Thank you, sir!"

After getting Chu Hong's promise, Cheng Wei inexplicably felt relaxed.

With this promise, we can say that we have landed safely!
Cool!
Chu Hong nodded slightly, and Cheng Wei said goodbye and left.

As soon as Cheng Wei left, Zheng Bin was brought over by Chen Qi, who was from the sixth rank.

Chu Hong looked at Zheng Bin and said with a smile: "Hangzhou is now stable. I have been an official in Hangzhou for more than three years. This time I will be transferred to Jiangnan as an official. Do you have any ideas?"

"Your Excellency is going to stay in Jiangnan?"

Zheng Bin and Chen Qi were both shocked. The rumors turned out to be true!
"My career path was given to me by you, my lord. I will go wherever you tell me to go."

Zheng Bin did not hesitate at all and changed his address from "your humble servant" to "your subordinate"

"Then you should prepare yourself and go to the capital to serve as the Left Counselor in a while. If you are lucky, you can also serve as a San Daifu."

"Yes!"

Chu Hong nodded with satisfaction. It had been one of his long-standing plans to have capable students and former officials join the Censorate and the Court of Remonstrance.

Although the Censorate and the Court of Remonstrance seem to be just so-so, their official ranks are not particularly high.

However, these official positions are quite useful during political struggles. They can collect some things regardless of special circumstances, or they can slander and throw dirty water at will.

This is the kind of official position where one’s hands can reach very long but one cannot grab anything.

You don’t have to, but you must have your own people.

Chu Hong motioned for the two to pour tea. Chen Qi stepped forward to add more tea. Chu Hong took a sip of tea and continued, "The position of the prefect has been decided, and he will take office soon.

He is my good friend, the youngest son of Prime Minister Han. You don’t need to worry about the situation in Hangzhou. All you need to do is to assist him.”

"Han Xiang's youngest son?!"

"hiss"

Chen Qi was shocked, that person was also a well-known figure.

Although he may not be as good as the prefect, he is not much worse. In the future, he will definitely be one of the core members of the Korean faction. Oh no, one of the core members of the Chu faction.

Chu Hong nodded, "I have been an official in Hangzhou for three years, and I naturally cannot easily hand over the control of Hangzhou to others. Brother Jiayan's visit to Hangzhou was also arranged in advance.

However, he had been an official in Beijing for a long time and might not be able to adapt to the power struggles at the local level. Cheng Wei, the Tongzhi, was an old hand and not one of their own, so naturally he had to be removed.

When Cheng Wei comes to Beijing to serve as an official, the position of Tongzhi will be taken over by the Assistant Governor of Jiangnan East Road, and you can rest assured in your official duties."

"Jiangnan East Road Assistant? Is it the old master who is here?"

Chen Qi's eyes lit up. The word "old man" sounded so kind and natural.

Chu Hong smiled imperceptibly and nodded slightly.

"Chen Qi, it's been nearly three years, it's time for you to make some moves. With your current position, it doesn't make much sense to be promoted to Bian Jing. I'll give you two choices, one is to be a sixth-rank official in Hangzhou, and the other is to be a sixth-rank Tongpan in other prefectures."

"Wherever the Lord tells Chen Qi to go, Chen Qi will go there!"

Chen Qi expressed his attitude without any hesitation.

Chu Hong pondered for a moment, "A sixth-rank official position is too small for Hangzhou, but other scattered states are definitely first-class officials. It is better to be the head of a chicken than the tail of a phoenix. If a scattered state makes achievements, it will be easier to stand out."

"I won't be in office in Jiangnan for long. When I return to Beijing, I will take over. If you can do something good and be honest and upright, promotion will not be a problem."

"Yes, then Chen Qi will go to Sanzhou!"

Chen Qi nodded with peace of mind.

Zheng Bin was also very relieved. Those who were capable would be promoted, and those who had made contributions would be promoted. This was the clean and upright atmosphere and clear governance he had always longed for!
"Hangzhou has a lot of history. Let's strike down some corrupt officials before we leave!"

Chu Hong warned.

"Yes, my lord!"

"Well, all of you go back! Let the others come in one by one!"

"Yes, my lord!"

Chu Hong spent the whole day talking to officials. Most of them were promoted, while a few were transferred horizontally according to the wishes of these people.

The so-called disciples and old officials are accumulated slowly in this way.

Of course, if we really want to accumulate students and old officials, then we have to be the one who presided over the imperial examinations, and the status of the seated teacher is quite high.

Take your time, you will become a master and enter the cabinet.
Seven thousand words, speed up the pace, please vote!
Don't worry, I'll just brush over Jiangnan's affairs. Tomorrow, the young cabinet minister will return to Beijing.
From then on, he wore a purple robe!

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(End of this chapter)