I was compiling the daily records during the Wanli reign

Chapter 314 Everyone Seconds! Those Who Give the Court Face Will Also Receive Face from the Court.
Near dusk, in front of the Nanjing Huitong Hall.

The gate was bustling with carriages and horses.

One after another, documents supporting Nanjing's policy of eliminating redundant officials and positions were delivered to Shen Nian.

In the blink of an eye, the documents on the table piled up like a mountain.

Ling Yunyi, the Minister of War and Advisor to the General Staff in Nanjing, was taken to Huai'an Prefecture by the Embroidered Uniform Guard to deal with the issue of the grain transport army illegally imposing corvée labor. Some officials in Nanjing interpreted this as Shen Nian's preemptive calculation to promote the policy of reducing labor in Nanjing.

This is truly a case of making an example of someone to scare others.

This alarmed the opponents, who feared that Shen Nian would find evidence of their wrongdoing elsewhere and impeach them.

If you're not dismissed but instead removed from your post or imprisoned, then you've really lost out!

Because of the rumors spread by Shen Nian, a wave of support quickly swept through Nanjing. Even low-ranking officials of the eighth or ninth rank wrote their own supporting documents, fearing that if they were late, they would be targeted by Shen Nian.

The opponents immediately realized that the tide was turning against them and had no choice but to reluctantly second the motion.

……

As night fell, inside the meeting hall.

Wang Jia, a secretary in the Imperial Secretariat, and Sun Weiqing, a senior official in the Ministry of Personnel, compiled a list of officials who seconded the motion.

"Your Excellency, apart from Minister Ling of the Ministry of War, all serving officials in Nanjing have seconded the proposal to abolish redundant officials and positions in Nanjing!" Wang Jia said excitedly.

He thought that at most half of the people would second the motion, but to his surprise, everyone seconded it.

More than 400 officials in Nanjing seconded the motion.

This is the most brilliant task Wang Jia has ever handled since entering officialdom, and it will definitely be the most perfect task executed by the Ming Dynasty this year.

Their performance evaluation will now include another "excellent" rating.

"Good! Attach all these names to the memorial, and while you're at it, petition the court for rewards for the officials in Nanjing! Also, notify the heads of all government offices in Nanjing to hold a meeting at the Nanjing Garrison Headquarters tomorrow morning. The policy of downsizing can begin to be implemented!"

"Yes!" Wang Jia and Sun Weiqing bowed in unison.

At present, many memorials do not need to be drafted by Shen Nian himself. He has explained the main contents and made the key points clear, and then Wang Jia, the secretary of the Imperial Secretariat, will write them.

Wang Jia was quite familiar with some of Shen Nian's views, and after writing the memorial, Shen Nian mostly left it unchanged.

……

Early the next morning, at the Nanjing Garrison Command.

Shen Nian changed her aggressive and domineering demeanor from the day before, and her tone became very gentle.

First, he praised the Nanjing officials for their high level of awareness, saying that the unanimous support for this policy was entirely due to the Nanjing officials. Then he claimed that he had already requested rewards for all the Nanjing officials in office.

Li Yangong, the Marquis of Linhuai and the Nanjing Garrison Commander, and Guo Xiao, the eunuch in charge of the Nanjing Garrison Command, humbly praised Shen Nian and Zhao Jin as the true heroes of this campaign.

These two men swayed whichever way the wind blew, demonstrating a remarkable ability to assess situations.

Immediately afterwards, the officials flattered each other, creating a very harmonious atmosphere, and the hall was filled with laughter.

At the end of the meeting.

Shen Nian stated that the task of dismissing officials in Nanjing must be completed by the end of the year, while the dismissal of officials throughout the entire Southern Zhili region should be carried out in an orderly manner.

Shen Nian demanded that the dismissal and reassignment be carried out simultaneously, and that officials transferred to probationary positions by the Ministry of Personnel must have their new positions determined within one month of the dismissal.

Shen Nian pointed out that all officials who retired early and chose to receive "half a salary" would have the opportunity to publish their thoughts in the Wanli People's Mirror.

Shen Nian emphasized that the dismissals must be carried out with caution and must be strictly in accordance with the proposed policies. No official has the right to violate the dismissal regulations, and no official should be treated unfairly.

……

The Nanjing officials all clasped their hands in unison and shouted, "Your humble servant obeys!"

In the following days, Shen Nian cooperated with the Nanjing Ministry of Personnel to begin implementing the Nanjing policy of reducing redundant officials and positions.

Although the Nanjing officials had no objections.

However, the selection process requires the cooperation of the six ministries in Nanjing to carefully screen candidates based on their qualifications, achievements, and mistakes.

This is a delicate task that requires extreme care.

With a single stroke of their brushes, officials in the Ministry of Personnel could erase the career path that an official had painstakingly pursued for over a decade.

As the chief supervisor, Shen Nian was very conscientious. He would review almost every transfer of officials of the fifth rank or above.

Once these details are finalized and implemented in an orderly manner, and the imperial court's reply is sent to Nanjing, he will be able to return to the capital by imperial decree.

……

August 25th, near noon.

The capital city, the Wenhua Hall.

The young Wanli Emperor sat on the throne, flanked by the four Grand Secretaries: Zhang Juzheng, Yin Zhengmao, Shen Shixing, and Wang Xijue.

After reading Shen Nian's memorial, the five men were both surprised and delighted.

Everyone seconded it.

This was something they never expected.

Nanjing was the place with the most severe problem of redundant officials and bureaucracy in the two capitals and thirteen provinces of the Ming Dynasty. In addition, the officials held high positions, making it very difficult to implement policies.

and.

Although Zhao Jin's proposed strategy was in line with the court's policy of reducing redundant officials and positions, it was very drastic and harsh, and was likely to be opposed by everyone.

However, in less than half a month, Shen Nian made Nanjing's officials a national benchmark for policies to reduce redundant positions and officials.

That can be described as miraculous skill.

Once this news spreads, the difficulty for the imperial court to implement policies to reduce redundant officials and positions in local areas will be greatly reduced.

This is a great achievement.

Although Shen Nian stated in his memorial that it was only because the court investigated and dealt with Ling Yunyi in a timely manner that all the officials in Nanjing agreed to the motion.

But everyone knows the truth.

Apart from Zhang Juzheng and Shen Nian, no one in the court could handle such a difficult task so well.

"Shen Qing handled this task brilliantly! Absolutely brilliant! Have the Office of Transmission make several copies later so that the heads of all the government offices in the capital can learn from it. This is what it means to handle a task properly!" Little Wanli couldn't help but say.

When a subject performs his duties better than expected, the emperor can save himself trouble, and the young Wanli Emperor is naturally pleased.

The four cabinet ministers all nodded in agreement. Shen Nian always managed to surprise them; if there were no surprises, they would feel uneasy.

Little Wanli looked at Zhang Juzheng.

"Prime Minister, Minister Shen has requested rewards for officials in Nanjing. How should I reward them?"

Zhang Juzheng thought for a moment and said, "I suggest that all officials in Nanjing who are dismissed, regardless of whether they are reappointed, should be allowed to retain their official robes and hats after retirement, should be allowed to return to their hometowns by post, their families should be exempted from taxes for one year, and they should all be awarded three months' salary!"

Retaining their official robes and hats preserved their social status; allowing them to return to their hometowns via post stations demonstrated the court's preferential treatment; exempting them from taxes for a year and awarding them three months' salary was a reward for their support of the court's policies.

This reward, which is both prestigious and lucrative, is a special favor bestowed upon those in Nanjing who "unanimously agreed."

This move is also meant to set an example for officials across the country.

Let all officials know that those who cooperate with the new policies of the court and give the court face will be given face in return.

"Approved!" the young Wanli Emperor readily agreed.

at this time.

Wang Xijue stepped forward and said, “Your Majesty, Grand Secretary Shen has suggested that officials who retire early and choose to receive half salary until the age of seventy have the opportunity to publish their thoughts in the Wanli People’s Mirror. I think this is a very good move. It can not only save the court’s salary, but also give talented officials more opportunities to be promoted.”

"I suggest that this regulation be implemented nationwide, allowing more incompetent and uninterested officials to retire early. Furthermore, the court should promptly announce the Nanjing policy of eliminating redundant officials and positions throughout the country, so that officials across the land know that this policy is irreversible..."

"Acceptable!" Little Wanli nodded. With such a benchmark, it is natural to promote it vigorously.

Immediately, the young Wanli Emperor looked at Yin Zhengmao. "Grand Secretary Yin, Ling Yunyi privately imposed corvée labor on the grain transport by the grain transport army. Although this is not encouraged, his intentions are for the good of the court."

"In addition, he has managed the Nanjing garrisons quite well, so I do not intend to punish him severely. You are an old friend of his, so tell him privately to submit a memorial explaining his mistakes and expressing his support for Nanjing's policy of reducing redundant officials and positions. I will then give him a small punishment and let the matter rest!"

"Your subject obeys!" Yin Zhengmao said, cupping his hands in greeting.

Yin Zhengmao and Ling Yunyi had a very good relationship when they were suppressing bandits in the southwest. Ling Yunyi dared not disobey Yin Zhengmao's words.

Upon hearing this, Wang Xijue frowned slightly but remained silent.

In the eyes of the young Wanli Emperor, harming the interests of the people for the sake of the court's interests was not considered a crime; but harming the interests of the court was an unforgivable crime.

……

In the blink of an eye, it was August 30th.

Inside Nanjing city.

The Nanjing downsizing policy was implemented very smoothly.

Meanwhile, many dismissed officials privately cursed Shen Nian and Zhao Jin, and many officials seconded their opinions, but only out of helplessness and reluctance.

This policy harmed their interests and even ruined their otherwise comfortable and pleasant old age, so they naturally harbored resentment.

But Shen Nian and Zhao Jin didn't care at all.

When doing this kind of thing, you can't avoid being scolded or offending people.

If you do well, the dismissed officials will scold you; if you do poorly, the imperial court will scold you.

At this time, Shen Nian had been in Nanjing for half a month.

Once the imperial court's reply reaches Nanjing, granting him permission to return to the capital, he will leave Nanjing.

Just when he felt that the imperial decree should have reached Nanjing.

afternoon.

The imperial decree was delivered to the Nanjing Huitongguan.

Shen Nian was overjoyed upon seeing the reward; he was very pleased with the imperial court's bestowal upon the Nanjing officials.

Officials who cooperate with the imperial court should enjoy such treatment.

at the same time.

He also received an imperial decree ordering him to return to the capital.

When the officials in Nanjing learned of the rewards bestowed upon them by the young Wanli Emperor, they were all very excited, and some even knelt down to express their gratitude for the emperor's grace.

They were allowed to retain their official robes and hats, return to their hometowns by post, and their families were exempted from a year's salary and given three months' salary as a reward.

This is almost the treatment afforded to high-ranking officials of the third rank or above.

At this moment, they were glad they hadn't resisted; otherwise, they might have faced not only dismissal but also various punishments that would ruin their reputations in their later years.

Near dusk.

Shen Nian also received a document written by Ling Yunyi, in which he seconded the policy of reducing redundant officials and positions in Nanjing. Ling Yunyi also said that he had submitted a memorial to the court to express his opinion.

Shen Nian knew that this was his way of "protecting his official position".

However, this move would make it much easier for Southern Zhili to implement this policy.

……

September 1st, early morning.

Shen Nian convened another meeting at the Nanjing Garrison Headquarters, with the participants still being the heads of various government offices.

At the meeting, Shen Nian had Wang Jia, a secretary in the Imperial Secretariat, read aloud Ling Yunyi's seconded document. After giving some instructions, he informed everyone that the work of reducing redundant officials and positions in Nanjing was progressing in an orderly manner, and his task was basically completed. He would return to the capital early on the third day of the ninth month.

……

Afternoon, inside the Nanjing Huitong Hall.

Shen Nian summoned Wang Jia, Sun Weiqing, and Qi Hu to the front hall.

"Pack your things, prepare the boat, we'll head to the Qinhuai River dock at four in the morning tomorrow to return to the capital!"

"Huh?" All three of them were taken aback.

"Your Excellency, you clearly stated this morning at the Nanjing Garrison Headquarters that you would return to the capital the day after tomorrow. Are you sure you didn't misremember?" Qi Hu asked, puzzled.

Shen Nian laughed and said, "That's just a lie! If I said I was leaving the capital tomorrow morning, they would definitely prepare a farewell banquet tonight, and they would all come to see me off tomorrow morning. They might even wake up the people on the riverbank early to bid me farewell. It would be a disturbance to the people, a waste of money, and an embarrassment. It's better to leave quietly!"

"Makes sense!"

The three looked at Shen Nian with admiration, feeling that following Shen Nian would not only be interesting and rewarding, but also allow them to learn all sorts of strange and wonderful skills.

There was actually another reason why Shen Nian chose to leave quietly.

That's the label that ordinary people like to use to describe Shen Nian: It's better for officials to suffer than for ordinary people to suffer.

Once this statement becomes public opinion, Shen Nian will become a representative of public opinion and stand on the opposite side of all officials.

Shen Nian did not want to bear this heavy burden.

Shen Nianyan's harsh treatment of officials is simply because they have been living too comfortably in the past. He needs to pull them back from their comfortable lives first, and he will definitely advocate for increasing their salaries later.

If an official's salary is not even enough to support his own family, he will surely cause hardship for the common people.

……

The next day, at the fourth watch of the night.

After Shen Nian arrived at the Qinhuai River wharf, she ordered someone to inform Li Yangong, Guo Xiao, and Zhao Jin of her departure.

After the three of them learned of this, the official boat that Shen Nian was on had already sailed out of the dock.

After learning about this, Zhao Jin murmured, "This Grand Secretary Shen does things differently. In the near future, the burden of the two capitals and thirteen provinces of the Ming Dynasty will surely fall on his shoulders. I must also work hard. In his words, I will use my bones as torches to illuminate the lives of more poor people living in the shadows!"

……

Large ships sail slowly on the Yangtze River.

Shen Nian stood on the deck, enjoying the sea breeze, in a very good mood.

The policy of eliminating redundant officials and positions throughout the country was, for the Ming Dynasty, a prescription to remove the hidden ailments of dampness and heat.

Once this policy is implemented, the Ming Dynasty's officialdom will be completely transformed and more energetic, enabling the Ming Dynasty to accelerate its progress towards a golden age.

……

Meanwhile, in a courtyard house in Shanyang County.

At the age of seventy-seven, Wu Cheng'en, supported by the young A Bao, gazed towards the direction of the Grand Canal.

"Grand Secretary Shen has done me a great favor, and he has done an even greater favor to our Huai'an Prefecture! If I still have the strength, I must write a novel based on Grand Secretary Shen. Such a good official who values ​​the people's affairs above all else is too rare!"

In the past few days, all the people in Huai'an Prefecture who had been forced into corvée labor have returned home.

They not only received their back pay, but also regained their freedom.

Many officials on the canal were arrested. The prefect of Huai'an solemnly promised the people that from now on, the government would never impose additional corvée labor on them again, and the people would be free to work.

The people on both sides of the river were praising the court's wisdom, but Wu Cheng'en kept thanking Shen Nian.

"Because of Grand Secretary Shen, my life has been worthwhile! Worthwhile!" Wu Cheng'en murmured, his eyes moist as he gazed into the distance.

Ah Bao, who was standing nearby, had heard this at least a hundred times.

He seemed to understand, but not quite. Looking into the distance, he said, "Grandpa, when I, Ah Bao, become a boat captain in the future, I will make sure that the people who follow me are well-fed and watered, and I will never shortchange them a single penny!"

Ah Bao knew he wasn't cut out for studying, and his dream had always been to become a conscientious boat captain.

(End of this chapter)