I was compiling the daily records during the Wanli reign

Chapter 248 From the Bottom Up: The Power of the People! Shen Ziheng, the Lucky Star of the Ministry of Revenue

Office of the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue.

Seeing Shen Nian's disappointed expression at the hopelessness of applying to the court to establish an accounting college, Liu Sijie couldn't help but mention his other idea.

"Ziheng, I believe that the revival of mathematics does not necessarily have to start from the imperial court. The methods of mathematics emphasize practice. If we rely on the power of the people to reform from the bottom up, and use practice instead of learning, it may develop faster than establishing an accounting college. At present, the revival of commerce in the north is in dire need of mathematical talents. If some merchants are willing to organize and train mathematical talents, in three to five years, there will be an explosion of mathematical talents among the people. In the future, when the court recruits accountants, it will inevitably look to the standards of mathematical talents among the people, and let the power of the people lead the development of the official accountants. What do you think?"

"Bottom-up? Grassroots power?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Nian's eyes lit up.

Liu Sijie not only offered a strategy for reviving mathematics, but also opened up new ideas for Shen Nian's new policy reforms.

New policies and reforms do not necessarily have to be implemented from top to bottom, from the imperial court to the people. The power of the people can also be used to force the imperial court to make changes.

Shen Nian smiled and said, "Liu Zuotang, my father and father-in-law's Yaodong Trading Company is capable of handling this matter!"

Liu Sijie shook her head slightly.

“Ziheng, I knew you would say that, but I do not recommend that Yaodong Trading Company do it.”

"Why?" Shen Nian asked, puzzled.

"The tallest tree in the forest is the first to be felled by the wind. The Yaodong Trading Company of today is no longer the Yaodong Trading Company of your father and father-in-law, but the Yaodong Trading Company of all the people of the North. Although the Yaodong Trading Company benefits the people with the aim of revitalizing the trade in the North and supporting local small merchants, in the eyes of the court, winning the hearts of the people is more terrifying than winning money. Once you enter the cabinet, I estimate that countless people will find fault with the Yaodong Trading Company!"

"If Yaodong Trading Company takes the lead in training mathematicians, and many of these mathematicians enter various government offices as accountants, then the affairs of the court will have no secrets from Yaodong Trading Company. This... could potentially bring disaster upon your family!"

Shen Nian's expression turned serious.

His father and father-in-law established the Yaodong Trading Company. Their initial real purpose was not to facilitate trade in the north, but to make it easier to implement the new policy of the Single Whip Law in the north, thus helping Shen Nian to be promoted more quickly.

Shen Yaoshan and Gu Dongxing originally planned to give up their business after Shen Nian became a minister, and return all the profits to the court or the people.

However, what they didn't expect was...

Yaodong Trading Company has developed rapidly and has become the biggest driving force for the booming trade in the north. If Shen Yaoshan and Gu Dongxing abandon their responsibilities now, Yaodong Trading Company will soon change its nature.

Because no other businessman possesses their pure intention of "doing business for the public good and for the people, not for personal gain."

What they didn't expect was that Shen Nian was promoted rapidly, becoming a third-rank official in less than two years.

Liu Sijie's consideration was correct.

Accountants may seem like minor officials, but they are the ones who truly know all kinds of accounts in the Ming Dynasty.

If many of the officials in the imperial court in the future come from Yaodong Merchant Guild.

After Shen Nian enters the cabinet, he will have the power to assist in government affairs. In addition, his family not only controls the northern trade, but also has the ability to understand the accounts of various government departments at any time.

Although Yaodong Trading Company has given away all its money, it has won the hearts of the people.

If Shen Yaoshan and Gu Dongxing were to raise their arms and call to action, countless people would respond.

Which emperor wouldn't be wary of such extraordinary abilities?

For any emperor, no matter how loyal a subject is, he must never allow him to possess the power to rebel.

Liu Sijie continued, "Recently, I have discussed the establishment of a mathematics society with several merchants in the capital. Although the training of mathematics scholars will be slower without the participation of Yaodong Trading Company, it is more reliable!"

Liu Sijie has always been conservative and prudent in her work.

In the Ming Dynasty, people were free to form societies. The Mathematics Society was a variant of the Accounting Academy, which combined learning and practice and produced books on mathematics.

The downside is that it's just small-scale action and unlikely to achieve significant results.

After listening, Shen Nian shook her head slightly.

"Liu Zuotang, this method of cultivating mathematical talents is too slow! I think we should have Yaodong Trading Company take the lead and immediately establish mathematical societies in various prefectures and cities, including the capital. Under the name of these societies, we can participate in practice and cultivate mathematical talents. As for the negative impact on my family, I can accept it."

"Can you accept this? Ziheng, the emperor's favor is as deep as the sea, and no one can fathom it. You are still young, so don't walk on the edge of a cliff. New policies and reforms are not something that can be accomplished overnight; we can take it slowly."

Shen Nian shook her head again.

"At present, Yaodong Trading Company has already put my father and father-in-law on a pedestal, making them leaders of northern merchants. Yaodong Trading Company will eventually belong to the imperial court, which is something my father and father-in-law promised long ago."

"I cannot abandon a better path to cultivate mathematicians just to protect myself."

"Yaodong Trading Company should not retreat in order to protect itself, but should continue to expand its influence, expand to the point where the hearts and minds of the people are with it, and expand to the point where harming Yaodong Trading Company is harming the trade of the Ming Dynasty!"

"Soon after, I wrote to my father and father-in-law to ask for their opinions. If they are willing to train mathematicians, I will immediately inform the cabinet and ask them to send mathematicians from the Ministry of Revenue as instructors to expedite this matter. My Shen family is willing to make sacrifices for the Ming Dynasty. I do not believe that the Ming Dynasty will betray my Shen family. Even if it does, as long as it is worthwhile, I am willing!"

"In this life, there are some things more important than life itself. I believe that with the support of the three Grand Secretaries, those troublemakers don't have the ability to harm my family!"

In Shen Nian's eyes, the best defense against framing, slander, and rumors is to be offensive.

Hearing these words, Liu Sijie felt that she had finally truly gotten to know Shen Nian.

While others kept a low profile and avoided showing off their talents, he was not afraid at all.

His purpose in life seemed to be to change the Ming Dynasty.

"Young people are bold and dare to go against the tide. Ziheng, I was narrow-minded. Please accept my bow!"

"I can't accept this! I can't accept this!" Shen Nian quickly declined.

Shen Nian's insistence on having Yaodong Trading Company promote the revival of mathematics was actually based on considerations far beyond that.

Besides the immense benefits that mathematics would bring to the future Single Whip Law and the industrial development of the Ming Dynasty, Shen Nian also planned to use mathematics to enable the Ministry of Revenue to acquire more big data, and then seize the power of the eunuchs to control the Yellow Register, silk weaving, and even intelligence, thus limiting the eunuchs' power to the inner court.

In addition, Shen Nian is currently very power-hungry. If he wants to realize his political ideals, he must have more power than Zhang Juzheng in the future.

It was absolutely impossible for him to become a royal servant after the young Wanli Emperor assumed power.

What he wanted was true rule of law, the principle that princes should be punished the same as commoners. If imperial power became excessive, he wouldn't hesitate to smash the royal family and bring about a new era.

……

That evening, Shen Nian wrote letters to his father and father-in-law about the matter.

He was certain that the two of them would agree.

He also planned to report this new bottom-up reform attempt to the three cabinet ministers, as the Shen family would be absolutely safe with their protection.

Furthermore, Shen Nian was certain that the young Wanli Emperor couldn't do without her, which gave her the audacity. ...

Early morning, the first day of the third lunar month.

Shen Nian brought a copy of "A Treatise on the Revival of Mathematics" to Zhang Juzheng.

He even gave this matter a grand presentation.

This was touted as a new, bottom-up, grassroots reform attempt. By combining learning and practice with the collaboration of community groups and merchants, it could greatly improve the efficiency of accounting and reconciliation across all industries without costing the imperial court a single penny or bothering any official, thereby promoting the prosperity and development of commerce...

If successful, it will usher in a new chapter of policy reforms, allowing the people to spontaneously expand and revitalize many matters related to commerce and people's livelihoods.

……

After Zhang Juzheng finished reading, he summoned Yin Zhengmao and Shen Shixing.

After the two finished reading, Zhang Juzheng looked at Shen Nian and said, "In short, you feel that the court is unwilling to include mathematics in the imperial examinations, and is also unwilling to spend money to build an accounting academy, so you want to cultivate mathematics scholars in a civilian way, and recommend yourself to Yaodong Trading Company, is that right?"

Zhang Juzheng succinctly summarized the main theme of this memorial in one sentence.

"Yes!" Shen Nian said decisively, then immediately added, "My esteemed elders, the reason I recommend talented individuals without regard to personal relationships is that Yaodong Trading Company is currently the best solution for reviving mathematics!"

Shen Nian thought for a moment and then said, "Liu Zuotang of the Ministry of Revenue once reminded me that Yaodong Trading Company is now showing its strength and has a great influence. If it is allowed to take charge of this reform initiated by the people, the accountants of various government offices in the future may all be trained by Yaodong Trading Company. They may obey Yaodong Trading Company. If I enter the cabinet in the future, it is very likely that some officials will feel that I am too powerful and have the ability to rebel because of Yaodong Trading Company. I should keep a low profile and prohibit Yaodong Trading Company from participating in this matter."

Upon hearing Shen Nian's rather blunt words, the three Grand Secretaries couldn't help but fall into deep thought.

That's what they're concerned about too.

Just as they were about to hear what solution Shen Nian had in mind, Shen Nian looked at the three of them, cupped his hands and said, "This humble official believes that the three Grand Secretaries will absolutely not allow my Shen family to suffer an unjust accusation. This humble official also believes that His Majesty will not dampen my Shen family's fervent patriotism. For the sake of the new policies, my Shen family is ready to die for our country!"

Shen Nian straightened her chest involuntarily.

Some things, once placed in the sunlight, will quickly turn from a sharp block of ice into a lukewarm pool of water.

There is no solution to open schemes; the benevolent are invincible.

this moment.

Both Yin Zhengmao and Shen Shixing had the same thought: Shen Ziheng clearly wants to become the second Zhang Juzheng!
Even Zhang Juzheng, who was usually stern and never smiled, couldn't help but laugh.

He felt this sentiment most deeply about Shen Nian's statement.

He actually didn't want to use private correspondence for official business, didn't want to make decisions unilaterally, and didn't want to practice nepotism, but for the sake of the new policies, everyone pushed him into this situation.

He was aware of the drawbacks of ministers having more power than the emperor, but he was helpless to change it.

Shen Nian's words, "My Shen family lives on the face of death," gave Zhang Juzheng a sense of happiness that the cabinet had a worthy successor.

He greatly admired Shen Nian's willful personality.

For the sake of the new policies and the people, he was not afraid of being framed or criticized. The rules of avoiding suspicion and concealing one's talents in officialdom were useless to him.

Yin Zhengmao straightened his chest and spoke first: "I support Ziheng. For the court, this move is cost-effective, efficient, and can promote the revival of mathematics. We cannot compromise just because it will make Yaodong Trading Company more powerful!"

Liu Sijie had long ago mentioned to Yin Zhengmao the idea of ​​establishing an accounting college and incorporating mathematics into the imperial examination system.

The latter objected because it was expensive.

Government officials are usually locals, so training them must be done nationwide, with academies in every prefecture and state.

Because those who take the imperial examinations look down on mathematics, it is impossible to allow them to use the school. The imperial court needs to build academies separately, which costs a lot of money. Local governments also need to recruit students, which is even more troublesome.

Now, allowing merchants to organize themselves in the form of associations, requiring only some experienced clerks from various government departments to serve as instructors, is absolutely the best solution.

As for the possibility that Shen Nian might become a powerful minister with even greater influence than Zhang Juzheng, Yin Zhengmao didn't care at all.

He once thought that there should be no powerful ministers in the imperial court.

But after joining the cabinet, he realized that the advantages of a one-man rule far outweighed the disadvantages. If everything were discussed and decided, the various government departments would be arguing and fighting every day, resulting in civil war, and nothing of importance could be accomplished.

Shen Shixing looked at Zhang Juzheng, and since Zhang Juzheng agreed, he had no objections.

Zhang Juzheng thought for a moment and said, "This is a reform method that is not conducted in the imperial court, and I think it is feasible. However, we cannot bring up whether or not Yaodong Trading Company should take the lead; His Majesty must decide on this himself. Otherwise, if this reform goes wrong, Yaodong Trading Company will bear all the responsibility, which would truly dampen the patriotic spirit of Ziheng's father and father-in-law!"

Upon hearing this, Shen Nian felt that the matter was about to succeed, and he immediately cupped his hands and said, "I would be grateful if the three elders could take action!"

The three men spoke of this matter to the young Wanli Emperor at the same time, and there were countless ways to make him think of the Yaodong Trading Company.

After all, Yaodong Trading Company has a good reputation among the people!
If other merchants were allowed to train mathematicians, they might end up training a group of people who falsify accounts.

Zhang Juzheng nodded, and Yin Zhengmao and Shen Shixing also nodded.

At this time.

Shen Nian added, "My three elders, I have another request. When a mathematics society is established in the capital, the eunuchs of the inner court should not be allowed to participate."

“I agree!” Yin Zhengmao stated directly.

The more eunuchs learn, the more they can supervise, and right now they are usurping a lot of the Ministry of Revenue's power.

The harm of eunuchs lies in the fact that they always act in a way that overrides the "Great Ming Code".

Recently, Zheng Sansi embezzled 50,000 taels of silver, and Feng Bao's handling of the matter was relatively simple.

This caused the three cabinet ministers to develop a strong aversion to the eunuchs in the inner court.

Even Zhang Juzheng disliked eunuchs interfering in politics, but the young Wanli Emperor believed that eunuchs were the emperor's right-hand men, his eyes and ears, and that officials in the outer court had no choice but to bow down.

"Give it a try!" Zhang Juzheng said.

……

About half an hour later.

When Liu Sijie heard from Shen Nian that the three Grand Secretaries would be submitting their memorial on the revival of mathematics to Emperor Wanli that afternoon, she was both surprised and delighted.

"Ziheng, it's you again! If I were to volunteer, even if the court didn't object, it would most likely just dump this burden on me again. If this matter succeeds, I'll treat you to a drink, a good drink. You'll be the lucky star of our Ministry of Revenue!"

Liu Sijie's laughter was bright and cheerful, as happy as a child's.

(End of this chapter)